Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and former striker Alan Smith are in agreement over current star Bukayo Saka.
Saka continued his rich vein of form on Thursday night, scoring to help Arsenal take a draw and an away goal into the Europa League Round of 32 second leg with Benfica next week.
The goal was the sixth of the Saka's season and his fourth in his last eight games with the 19-year-old undroppable in his current form, winning the club's player of the month award for the last two months.
And unsurprisingly, manager Arteta is delighted with his winger's form, saying after the Benfica draw: "I think he’s in a great moment, he’s full of confidence, he’s been really important in recent results.
"His form is the highest probably since I’ve been here and he’s been really consistent.
"He needs to keep going and doing what he’s doing because at the moment he’s a really important part of the team."
Asked how he will nurture the young talent, Arteta added: "I think we have to protect him and keep expectations where they should be. But I'm not gonna put a break in his development or what he can do week in week out.
"I think we have to support him, give him the best possible advice all the time and then manage his minutes so he can maintain this level."
Arteta is certainly not the only one to rave about Saka's form, and former striker turned co-commentator Alan Smith recently gave a similarly glowing verdict on the youngster.
"He invariably affects the game," said Smith on Sky Sports.
“It's good for a youngster that. Some attribute. Still a teenager. What a future ahead of him. He’s leading the bunch (highest teenage goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season).”
