Ian Wright has posted a touching tribute to former Arsenal star David Rocastle on the 20th anniversary of his close friend’s death. 

Long before they both played together for the Gunners, the duo formed an unbreakable bond while growing up in London.

Known as Rocky, the football world said goodbye to one of the most talented and beloved players in Arsenal history when Rocastle passed away following a battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in March 2001. 

Aged just 33, the loss of the ex-England midfielder was desperately hard to take — especially for Wright.

Writing on Instagram, 57-year-old Wrighty explained just how much his old team-mate meant to him.

An unbreakable bond

He said: "David, 20 years bro. In a way, I’ve been dreading the build-up to it. You’re always on my mind but I try not to think of that specific day. You know what I mean?

"Everyone knows how close we were. Both Brockley boys, you were up in Turnham, I was just down the road. 

"We would see each other in school despite you being younger. Football meant everything to you.

"At 15, you were already operating at a totally different level. You always carried yourself with a level of professionalism we couldn’t understand. 

"You would leave Brockley to go all the way to Stoke Newington, just to get picked up by Paul Davis so you could go training [with Arsenal]. 

"On your way, you would stop by the estate and tell me, ‘I don’t care how you do it, you have to get into the game’.

"I remember the frustration in your face detailing these training sessions with reserves and seeing players you thought were not on my level.

"I remember the club said you weren’t allowed to play on the estate or park anymore. You did anyway because everyone knew the main rule was to not touch or tackle you.

"That was the law! We were playing with DAVID ROCASTLE! You had made it in our eyes.

"You saw something in me I couldn’t even see in myself."

Two-time First Division title-winner

Rocastle, who also played for Leeds, Manchester City and Chelsea, won two First Division titles with the Gunners in 1988-89 and 1990-91.  

Wright added: "We weren’t just friends, we were brothers. You would come to watch me play for [Crystal] Palace religiously. And then Arsenal happened.

"Think about how many times we acted out being in the same team one day. Wright to Rocastle. Rocastle back to Wright. Two Brockley boys.

"I'll never forget that moment when you told me you had been sold to Leeds. Everything froze. There was no Arsenal without you. 

"I still think about our holidays together with our families. The pictures serve as reminders of those precious moments. 

"We’ve had a crazy year (long story) but I can’t wait to hear our fans sing your name home and away. 

"Love you always my brother."