The Atletico Madrid forward will take on his old side in the Emirates Cup this weekend.

Reyes, 25, joined the Gunners from Seville four years ago in a deal which could have eventually cost a club record £17million.

However, the Spaniard - who won the FA Cup in 2005 and played in the Champions League final the following season - became frustrated at a perceived lack of first-team opportunities and moved on loan to Real Madrid before signing permanently with their city rivals.

Reyes, who had a spell at Benfica, said: "I have no regrets about leaving Arsenal.

"I took that decision because obviously I thought it was going to be best for my career.

"I had a good time here, I won some trophies with this team and I think they deserve all the credit they get.

"Any player wants to play for Arsenal, they have a great team in England and one of the strongest team in Europe."

Reyes added: "Arsenal have lost a couple of important players, but they have an extraordinary team, a young team, and they are going to develop."

Atletico could face the Gunners in a play-off for the Champions League next month.

Coach Abel Resino admits following the summer departures of Togo frontman Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Kolo Toure, the current Arsenal side are something of conundrum.

"Arsenal have been an extraordinary team, but teams go through changes, changing players, and Arsenal are now in transition," he said.

"We do not really know anything about this Arsenal team yet, because they have lost a few players, like Adebayor, who was an important player, and also have some out injured.

"This Arsenal team is a young side, the players are improving and you do not really know how they will respond.

"It is difficult to predict how they will do."

Resino added: "Arsenal still have the same coach and play with the same methodology.

"Once these young players gain some experience, they can grow in quality and progress.

"We will just have to wait and see."