Martin Keown has praised Ainsley Maitland-Niles after the midfielder's performance in Arsenal's 4-1 over Rapid Wien in the Europa League.
The Gunners sealed top spot in the group, as they welcomed back 2,000 socially-distanced supporters at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta's side made the perfect start thanks to Alexandre Lacazette's long-range effort, before Pablo Mari doubled the lead by heading home Reiss Nelson’s corner.
Eddie Nketiah tapped in a third on the rebound before half-time, and substitute Emile Smith Rowe sealed the win with another well worked goal, after Maitland-Niles delivered a perfect cross.
And Keown was impressed with the Arsenal midfielder's display and said the England international is "ready" for regular game time in his natural central midfield position.
"He impressed me, it looks so easy for him at times and you can tell he’s got gears," Keown said on BT Sport.
"You rarely get a player with his pace in that role. I would have loved that as a player. He’s a Rolls-Royce of a player at times.
"There’s quality there, he’s growing and getting better every time I see him. I think he’s ready for that central position."
Speaking after the game, Maitland-Niles admitted the players were delighted to have fans back in the stadium.
"We said before the game we would just have fun and enjoy the game, enjoy the moment and have a good feel for it and we did that and executed it brilliantly.
"We’ve waited a long time [to have the fans back], it’s a great feeling to have them back.
"It was only a few thousand tonight but we hope more will come eventually it’s just great to have that sound back and have our 12th man back."
Maitland-Niles will hope to keep his place in the Arsenal line-up for the north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.
And Gunners boss Arteta was full of praise for the 23-year-old, and said the midfielder's performance will "help" put him into contention.
"What he’s done today the great thing with Ainsley is that he can fill various positions and that’s a great thing to have around the squad.
"He’s played on the left as a wing back, he’s played on the right, he’s played as a holding midfielder, he can play as an attacking midfielder.
"And again, the sort of performances tonight helps, and he has a chance to play like everybody else."
