Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has told Sky Sports that he still sees Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as a father figure and respects the club as the two teams prepare to meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Fabregas, 30, spent eight years at Arsenal before returning to his first club, Barcelona, in 2011 and then signing for Chelsea in 2014.
The Spain international only won an FA Cup with the Gunners, and has won the Premier League twice with Chelsea since coming back to the Premier League. But he will always acknowledge the role the club and Wenger played in his career.
Asked if Arsenal were like an "old girlfriend," Fabregas said: "I wouldn't call it that. It's much more than that, because sometimes an old girlfriend you lose connection with, you don't feel anything for after years.
"I feel very attached, even now, to Arsenal. My feelings for the club, well I don't have to repeat myself, every single time we play against them, because it's known. Whoever doesn't believe me, or doesn't feel it is this way, is not right. I know how I feel, my family does, and that's all that matters to me.
"Once I made the decision to leave Barcelona, Arsenal had the first option, and Barcelona had the obligation to contact Arsenal first. Then they had a week to basically respond yes or no to the buy-out clause.
"I knew Chelsea were on the side, among other clubs, but after I spoke to [Jose] Mourinho in the meantime he convinced me that it was a great place to come. The week passed, Arsenal never responded, never contacted me either, so I took it as them having enough players in their squad, so I made my move to Chelsea.
"Because I felt they wanted me the most, Jose spoke to me in a way that not many have spoken to me before, and I knew what he wanted from me. He motivated me so much in that meeting that my choice was very easy.
"I love Arsene, the man. I love him of course as a coach too. This is a decision he made. I always said that he's like a father to me, and he will always be."