Ian Wright has hailed Arsenal's deadline day arrival Takehiro Tomiyasu as a "shrewd signing" having been impressed with the Japanese international.
The Gunners added the full-back from Bologna late in the summer transfer window for a reported £16m.
He made his debut against Norwich and also featured at Burnley - both games Arsenal won without conceding.
Tomiyasu has gone into a back four that conceded nine in the opening three games and is still seeking continuity with Ben White another summer addition.
Nevertheless he has been a standout performer with Wright highlighting his one-on-one defending as a real strength
He said on Wrighty’s House Podcast: “Tomiyasu, I don’t think anyone has gone past him. He’s a very shrewd signing. He’s been magnificent. Of course, in the two games we’ve played are two games you’d expect us to play well and win in, and we have."
Tomiyasu will undergo his first major test in this weekend's north London derby, where a win for Arsenal would see them go level on points with their rivals.
The Gunners lost their opening three games so a win would represent an impressive recovery.
Arsenal's slow start saw their recruitment policy come in for heavy criticism.
The club opted to bring in youth but many slammed the decision, insisting it didn't improve the first XI, but technical director Edu has explained the decision.
He told Sky Sports : "We signed six players who are under 23, which means a lot in terms of our planning.
"Normally, people like to see just one window, so I have to say it is the bigger picture because we started planning this squad a year ago in terms of consolidating the team and to try to get a better foundation."
Will Arsenal finish above their north London rivals this season? Comment below
Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Aaron Ramsdale were also signed in the summer.
The latter arrived from Sheffield United having just endured successive relegations and many questioned the move.
Already he has usurped Bernd Leno as No 1 with the German potentially leaving the Emirates before the season is up.
Martin Odegaard arrived on a permanent deal having spent last season on loan at the north Londoners and has slotted straight into the first team.
Edu explained his decision to add the Japan star, stating: "Then, at right-back, we just signed Takehiro Tomiyasu. He is someone who can come here and plays straight away because we loaned Hector Bellerin to allow space for him to come and feature straight away.
"That's the plan but of course, it's up to Mikel if he plays or not."
Tomiyasu, whose versatility is a major asset, has joked that he has no preference regarding his favoured position and would willingly play in the final third.
He said: "For me it doesn’t matter because the most important thing is to play in the game.
"So if the coach told me like, 'You have to play striker' then I’ll play striker. So, yeah, for me it doesn’t matter which position I play."
