Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe is "Paul Scholes in the making", according to pundit Andy Townsend.
The 20-year-old has made his breakthrough in the Gunners first-team this season, scoring two goals and registering six assists in all competitions.
Mikel Arteta used the playmaker sparingly earlier on in the campaign, but with his side struggling for form in the run-up to the Chelsea game in December, the Arsenal boss opted to start the youngster against the Blues.
That decision paid off as they won that game 3-1 and since then he has virtually been undroppable off the back of his stellar performances.
Pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have heaped praise on Smith-Rowe in recent weeks, with the former Manchester United defender saying he would not be out of place in the great Arsenal sides of the Arsene Wenger era.
Now Optus Sport pundit Townsend says he has shades of United legend Scholes about him.
“When I look at Smith Rowe, they have a better one (than Martin Odegaard) there already,” Townsend told Optus Sport. “That young man is so good, he has got great awareness… he is Paul Scholes in the making.
“He can play as a 10, he showed today he can play off one side and come inside, he has got that fantastic ability, awareness, of what is going on around him – not all young players have that.”
Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams has likened Smith-Rowe to Gunners legend Robert Pires following his performance in their 4-2 win over Leeds United.
"Smith Rowe has picked Aubameyang out for that goal," Adams told Premier League Productions.
"The kid’s got talent, he’s got feet like Robert Pires. Pires could run faster with the ball than I could without the ball. Smith Rowe has got real talent.
"He plays everything with one touch. He’s intelligent and seems to know where the ball is going before he even receives it.
"Smith Rowe and Saka were instrumental in all the goals today. They were both exceptional."
