Former Arsenal academy star spotted with Mikel Arteta's squad before Atletico Madrid clash

Mikel Arteta has taken one of Arsenal's former academy prospects under his wing ahead of this evening's clash against Atletico Madrid

Tyreece John-Jules was spotted in first-team training ahead of Arsenal's clash against Atletico Madrid.

The former Gunners striker, who left the Emirates Stadium last summer after 15 years at the club, reunited with his old team-mates at the Sobha Realty Centre on Monday afternoon.

In 2020, John-Jules featured on the bench when Arsenal stormed past Liverpool in the FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.

After catching the eye of Freddie Ljungberg in training, he got his first taste of senior football when he joined Lincoln City on loan in January.

The youngster went on to enjoy loan spells at Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town and Derby County before he was released by Arsenal following the expiration of his contract in June 2024. John-Jules attracted the attention of Crawley Town, joining on a free.

Last season, he featured 27 times for the West Sussex-based outfit across all competitions, providing just one assist. The former England Under-21 international played no more than 1,200 minutes for Crawley Town, starting just 10 games in League One.

The club was relegated, and John-Jules was left without a club. Despite scoring in a PFA-organised friendly against the Brighton Under-21s in August, the former Arsenal prospect failed to find a new club.

Earlier this month, Hayters TV spotted John-Jules in training with the under-21s at the Sobha Realty Centre as he looks to maintain his match fitness.

Now, the striker has been involved in first-team training, working with Mikel Arteta ahead of Tuesday night's clash against Atletico Madrid.

The Arsenal boss' pre-match press conference was dominated by questions about Diego Simeone and his project in the Spanish capital. Arteta said: "At the highest level, I think what he's done since he got to Atletico has been outstanding, not only what he has achieved but the way he's done it.

"I think the identity that he has created for the club, for the team, the spirit, I think they are very simple and clear to identify, and that's because the manager is very much them. That's extremely difficult to achieve for a short period of time, and to do it for 14 years, I think he's been there now, he's done something incredible, so it'll be a pleasure to meet him."

Arteta added: "There is someone that I look up to and learn from in many situations. What is for me outstanding is his passion, I think, for how long he's been in the game and in the same club, with the same players, and how you still have that handle and that capacity to transmit such an energy and willingness to win.

"It's a very tough environment that we live in, and to keep convincing players, you have to be extraordinary as well. I don't know him personally but everything that I have heard about him is that he's so good at doing that.

"That's one of the reasons why you are able to sustain at that level," added the Spaniard. "If he works in the Champions League, which is the highest competition in Europe, he can do it anywhere.

"I don't know, you have to come here and try it and feel it, but I'm very sure that his know-how is unbelievable and his character and willingness will take him anywhere."