Martin Keown claims Arsenal youngsters are "relishing" the presence of Alexandre Lacazette in the dressing room.
The striker's future is up in the air with his contract set to run out at the end of the season.
Lacazette has not agreed to an extension and the latest report suggests he isn't planning to as he looks to leave the Emirates in the summer.
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Mikel Arteta has refused to rule out the possibility of the 30-year-old returning next season, however, as he remains an integral part of the Spaniard's plans this term.
Lacazette netted a late equaliser off the bench against Crystal Palace and has kept his place in the Gunners' starting XI ever since partnering Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the top end of the pitch.
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And former Arsenal defender Keown reckons the forward's experience has been invaluable to Arsenal recently as they storm up the Premier League table.
The pundit revealed that the younger core of the squad look up to Lacazette as a role model and "love having him around."
He said on BT Sport: "That know-how and maturity [he brings to Arsenal] in a player with proven quality in a team that is full of developing players. You talk about role models, it is very important that he is there.
"Aubameyang, at the top of the team as well, seems to enjoy having him around and relishing him there.
"He come on against Palace in game where Arsenal were a bit flat - second best really - and he raised the tempo with his build up play, his opportunism from distance. He’s got everything in his game and I’ve heard that the youngsters love having him around.
"He lifted the crowd. Right place at the right time, look what it means to him. I just feel like you need to that drive and maturity in the team."
Arteta hinted that fresh terms for Lacazette aren't entirely out of the question as he said "anything can happen".
He also has no plans to treat the striker differently because of his contract situation as the saga rumbles on.
He said: "We have to see what the best option will be for everyone at the end of the season."
