Manchester City assistant manager Mikel Arteta admits losing Brahim Diaz midseason was a personal blow.

Arteta worked closely with the midfielder at City before he chose to quit in January for Real Madrid.

"It hurt me a lot," recalled Arteta to Marca.

"He has a huge talent, a lot of personality. And he loves football, he only lives for that."

Diaz left City insisting he felt he had a better chance of regular first team football at Real.