Maestre says friend Arroyo is an 'important person'

Eder Maestre worked at Real Sociedad and CD Tenerife before joining the WSL [Getty Images]

London City Lionesses manager Eder Maestre says Natalia Arroyo is a "very important person in his life" and he will thank her when they face each other in their final Women's Super League game of the season on Saturday.

Aston Villa boss Arroyo will reunite with Maestre, who was her assistant at former club Real Sociedad for three seasons, when they travel to Bromley this weekend.

"I spent maybe some of my best years in my professional career with her. It was amazing. She is a friend and I'm very excited to face her," said Maestre.

"I really appreciate all the things and all the information that was around me. She put me in a good place to gain my contract with CD Tenerife Femenino.

"It's something that I am always going to be very pleased about and I am going to take advantage of the situation to say thank you for her in front of everybody."

Maestre says Arroyo is doing "different things" at Villa than she was at Real Sociedad so Saturday's encounter will prove to be a challenge.

London City Lionesses have had a steady debut campaign in the WSL and sit four points above Aston Villa in seventh place.

"I know her very well. We have to be ready but I think Aston Villa has this kind of entity. They manage the game quite well," added Maestre.

"I can see some recognisable patterns. It's going to be very exciting. For me, it's going to be a very special experience facing her this Saturday."

[BBC]