Emile Smith Rowe is truly having a breakout season for Arsenal but is still to reach the target Mikel Arteta set for him.
Signalling the halfway point in the campaign, the 21-year-old notched his ninth goal of the term during the 5-0 hammering of Norwich City on Boxing Day.
Add to that two assists in his 20 appearances, and Smith Rowe is already into double figures for direct goal contributions, something he personally targeted in pre-season.
After snubbing a move away to Aston Villa over the summer in favour of signing a new long-term deal at the Emirates, Smith Rowe stated: "I’m hoping to get over 10 goals and assists this season."
But his manager outlined a much meaner task for players in his position last season, with Arteta hoping that the Hale End academy graduate's output can be at least doubled in 2022.
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"An incredible season for a No. 10 of Arsenal means he needs to score 15 goals and give 10 assists," the Gunners boss explained.
"Then you are right up there with the top guys in Europe and in the league. He's got the ability to do it but he hasn't done it."
Smith Rowe's 91st-minute strike against Norwich means he has now netted in each of his last three top-flight games.
Doing so, the young England international has become just the fourth Arsenal player under the age of 21 to score in three straight Premier League games after Nicolas Anelka, the late Jose Antonio Reyes and Cesc Fabregas.
But notably, those goals have all come inside a combined 42 minutes as Arteta has opted to start Smith Rowe on the bench before bringing him on as a late substitute.
That is because Martin Odegaard has taken place his in the No.10 role, and judging by their manager's recent comments, it could be a while until the Norwegian - himself on fire this campaign - drops out.
"I think he is playing fantastically well," Arteta told Arsenal.com post-match on Boxing Day.
"He helps us a lot. He glides the team together and I am really pleased with him."
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Nevertheless, Arteta has given Smith Rowe plenty of praise, telling reporters after the Gunners' 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in December: "He has improved the dynamic and the attacking threat of the team with his movement and the way he links and finds relationships on the pitch.
"His threat on goal this season has been much, much better, with the capacity that he has to create chances, to open spaces for other team-mates, and he’s been a key player. Hopefully we can sustain that over time."
