Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Nigerian football legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, describing him as a “magician” with extraordinary natural ability.
Arteta briefly shared the pitch with Okocha during the 2001/2002 season at Paris Saint-Germain, and their time together left a lasting impression on the Spaniard.
In the Sky Sports documentary Transfer 360: How Bolton Secured the Signing of Jay-Jay Okocha from PSG, Arteta reflected on the Nigerian icon’s immense skill and influence.
“Unbelievable, one of the best players I ever played with; he was a joy to watch. Incredible natural talent. He was a magician. He could do anything that he wanted with the ball. He could play any pass. He is very charismatic and has a very good personality. I learned a lot from him,” Arteta said.
Okocha, renowned for his dazzling dribbles and flair, became a fan favourite wherever he played, particularly during his time at Bolton Wanderers, where he cemented his status as a Premier League icon.
