Mikel Arteta paid tribute to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as the former Arsenal midfielder closes in on a move to Celtic.
The 32-year-old has been training with the Arsenal Under-21s for the past few months as a free agent, having left Besiktas last August when his contract was terminated.
Arteta earlier this week did not rule out Oxlade-Chamberlain re-signing for the Gunners after Mikel Merino suffered a serious foot injury, but it is understood there have never been any serious plans for that to happen.
Celtic have instead moved to sign the former England, Southampton and Liverpool midfielder and he is expected to undergo a medical in Glasgow on Saturday.
Speaking on Friday afternoon, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill confirmed that a deal was imminent.
"I spoke to him this morning, I think he wants to come," O'Neill said. "I think he's coming.
"I would have assumed he's got a number of options. I think there was even talk that Arsenal might take him on because they might pick up a couple of injuries.
"I'm delighted that he's going to come, so he says."
Oxlade-Chamberlain said goodbye to those at Arsenal on Thursday, before travelling up to Scotland.
He is expected to sign a six-month contract until the end of the season, with the option to extend that by a further year.
Arteta and Oxlade-Chamberlain both joined Arsenal in the summer of 2011, spending five years as team-mates, and the Spaniard has enjoyed their reunion in recent months.
"He’s been brilliant, it's been great to share some time with him, his experiences," Arteta said.
"Obviously we played together as well, so some great memories. It's been really helpful to us.
"Hopefully we could help him and support him in that tough period for him and wish him all the very best whatever he decides to do."
