Arsenal Invincible Ashley Cole reckons Kieran Tierney is already the star defender in Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side.
The Scotland international arrived in the summer for a cool £25m but injury has curtailed his impact until now.
Tierney has started five of the last six Premier League games and has impressed pundits and fans with his all-action style.
And Cole, who knows a thing or two about the defensive arts has detailed the many factors that have been making the 23-year-old stand out in the world's best league.
Cole told Sky Sports: “I think one thing that Arsenal were probably lacking in the past year was a left-back that was solid, didn’t get beaten in one-versus-one situations – he doesn’t get beaten in one-v-one situations.
“But I also think the way he attacks and the timing of his attacking runs, it brings a different element to Arsenal and a different way to attack.
“And he’s got a great delivery on him, as we just saw earlier, a great ball in that ended up with a corner. So he’s been very good for Arsenal I think.’
“He’s been solid. He came to Arsenal with high expectations, watching him at Celtic he was brilliant. And then he came carrying an injury, he didn’t start the season and now he’s starting to get back to fitness and, for me, being a star of this Arsenal defence.
“Whether he plays in a three or just as an out-and-out left-back, I think he has top qualities. He can play into a striker, he can join the attacks well, he’s got quality of pass, he can defend in one-v-one situations.
“He seems like a defender that doesn’t want to be beaten, he’s not happy when crosses go in. So I think for Arsenal he’s a great player. Not one for the future, but of course he can improve, but he’s been brilliant so far for Arsenal.”
