What Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said about Super Eagles legend Jay Jay Okocha

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has lavished praise on former Super Eagles captain Jay Jay Okocha, describing him as one of the most talented dribblers he has ever played with. 

Arteta, who shared a dressing room with Okocha during their time together at Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the 2001/2002 season, spoke fondly of the Nigerian legend in a recent interview with the club’s media.

In a video posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, via Sports Bible, Arteta was asked about the most skillful teammates he ever had. 

Without hesitation, he named both Brazilian legend Ronaldinho and Nigerian maestro Jay Jay Okocha. “Ronaldinho or Jay Jay Okocha,” Arteta said. “Both of them, very difficult to pick one of those two.”

Nigerian legend Okocha’s magic on the ball made him a joy to watch, leading to the belief that the recently turned 52-year-old’s natural flair, incredible dribbling skills make him one of the most talented players to come out of Africa and the world.

The widely loved Okocha, who could do anything he wanted with a ball and had the vision, was so good that they named him twice as the Bundesliga pointed

Their paths crossed during the 2001/02 Ligue 1 season when both played key roles for PSG. Arteta, then a young midfield talent on loan from Barcelona, witnessed firsthand the influence and creativity that Okocha brought to the team. 

Their brief but memorable partnership left a lasting impression on the future Arsenal manager. 

Okocha’s legacy as one of Nigeria’s greatest exports and a footballing magician remains firmly written in the hearts of fans across the globe, and Arteta’s praise highlights the respect he commands from fellow professionals.