"WENGER LIKED TO COMPARE FOOTBALL WITH ART - HE LET US BE EXPRESSIVE AND WE PLAYED BEAUTIFULLY"

The Real Betis right-back talks about leaving La Masia for North London, Mikel Arteta's genius and suffering heartbreak against Chelsea in May

- Interview Caio Carrieri

You left Barcelona's famed La Masia academy to sign for Arsenal at 16. How did you find that experience?

I was very inexperienced in both football and life. I feel that the UK made me an adult and a professional, experienced player. Most of my growth happened in London. I was really lucky that the years I spent there, I had great teammates and coaches, and opportunities to play top-level football. That was probably the most important part of my development as a person and as a player.

How do you reflect on the nine years you spent in North London?

I feel very nostalgic about it. I've been receiving so much love from Arsenal fans lately, which is beautiful. I went to London 18 months ago and bumped into loads of Arsenal fans. Even in Barcelona when I go to music festivals, there are always people wearing Arsenal shirts. The interactions I have with them truly fill me with joy. There are no negative thoughts at all about my experience over there, even though I went through tough times. I loved the Emirates. Some of my favourite matches I've ever played were there. I know that stadium like the back of my hand - where the sun goes down and at what time. Man, I had so many great Champions League nights, and Premier League games with Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Arsene Wenger was the manager for most of your time at the club. What was it that made him so special?