Arca set for Wearside return

Former Black Cat expecting emotional afternoon

Last updated: 24th April 2008

Arca set for Wearside return

Arca: Hoping for good reception

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Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca is expecting an emotional day when he returns to Sunderland this weekend.

The Argentinian spent six years with the Black Cats before joining North East rivals Boro in the summer of 2006.

He will return to the Stadium of Light for the first time since his exit when Boro face Sunderland on Saturday in a key Premier League fixture.

Arca is looking forward to the occasion and concedes it will be 'strange' to pull on a Boro shirt on his old stamping ground.

Always special

"It will be a big day for me - an emotional day," Arca told the Sunderland Echo.

"The club will always be special to me because Sunderland brought me over to England and I spent six years there. I have been back to the Stadium of Light a few times to watch games since I left and I am still in touch with a few people at the club and one or two of the players.

"But it will be exciting to go back and play against Sunderland there for the first time ever. I'm really looking forward to it.

"I'm sure it will feel strange to go to the away dressing room and then come out of the tunnel wearing a different shirt, though!

"I hope I get a good reception. I have lots of friends at the club and the fans were always fantastic with me - and they still are, because I still live in the area.

"The Sunderland fans know me and they know I always gave 100 per cent for them, but I am a Middlesbrough player now and I will be giving 100 per cent for Boro on Saturday and playing to win. The Sunderland fans wouldn't expect anything else."