Arsenal youngster Gabriel Martinelli has been backed to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the club's star striker.
His £6million signing went largely under the radar last summer, having been overshadowed by the £70m Arsenal spent on Nicolas Pepe.
But the Brazilian enjoyed a remarkable start to his time in north London after firing seven goals in as many matches after his arrival.
Since then the goals have been in shorter supply, but Martinelli, 18, has still impressed with his performances.
And ex-Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood believes Mikel Arteta is blooding the forward to replace Aubameyang in the near future.
"I’ve been fortunate enough to be invited to the training ground at Arsenal and what’s big on his [Arteta’s] priority list is to improve the players," Sherwood told Premier League Productions.
"No matter who they are even if they’re ready-made international footballers it’s to make them better and what he’s not afraid to do is look into their academy.
"They’ve got a lot of good young players there. Bukayo Saka is the one that’s come to the front and Gabriel Martinelli will eventually take over from Aubameyang [particularly] if they can’t keep hold of him."
Arteta has shown he is keen to give young players a chance at The Emirates, and such opportunities are likely to be available in the coming weeks as Arteta looks to rotate his squad.
A congested fixture schedule and the advent of five substitutes per match will enable him to give promising talent some much needed minutes.
But more of a concern for him will be the ongoing contract discussions involving Aubameyang, who could leave the club as early as this summer.
And with finances at the club tight, Sherwood feels Arteta may have to call on the youth system more often next season.
"He wants to try and get the best out of the squad he has," Sherwood added. "I like what he’s doing there. I think they’ve got a clear plan. They haven’t got the money.
"Nicolas Pepe was big money and he’s the last of the big signings you’ll see at Arsenal. They’ll have to cut their cloth differently now and I think they’ll dip into their academy.
"I think it’ll take time but I think they’ll get what they want to achieve under Mikel Arteta."
Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.
