Lorient forward Jeremie Aliadiere has revealed that he is still in contact with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
The 29-year-old, who was part of the Premier League club's set-up from 2001 until 2007 when he moved to Middlesbrough, also claims that Lorient coach Christian Gourcuff is "very similar" to Wenger.
"He's like a second father to me," Alidiere told beIN Sport. "I came to Arsenal when I was 16; he brought me to the UK and looked after me for many years. So, you know, I've learned a lot from him and I'm still in contact with him now.
"I think they've got a very similar vision of football and the passing, going forward, passing games, and being well organised teams.
"Obviously you've got one who's got more of an English mentality because he's, you know, training and being the manager of Arsenal in the UK for so many years. You've got to adapt to the English mentality."
Aliadiere joined Lorient in 2011.
