Martin Odegaard is currently enjoying the best form of his relatively short Arsenal career and could even be viewed as potential captaincy material as speculation over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's future with the armband grows.
The 22-year-old midfielder appears to have finally added goals to his repertoire, having found the net three times in his last three outings for the Gunners.
However, it is not just his newfound goal-scoring touch that is impressing both club staff and fans alike; increasingly, the former Real Madrid man's leadership qualities are coming to the fore.
Thise were exhibited once more during Arsenal's comfortable 3-0 home win over struggling Southampton, perhaps most notably when Odegaard's awareness thwarted a potential Saints attack while a number of his teammates had switched off.
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After opposition striker Armando Broja received treatment for an injury, plenty of Arsenal players had trudged over to the technical area to get further instruction from their manager.
Southampton aimed to take advantage and restart play quickly, but Odegaard responded fastest and screamed at teammates, notably Bukayo Saka, to take up positions immediately to halt any imminent threat from the visitors.
Captain of his national side, Odegaard seems to finally be channelling that kind of responsibility into his performances for Arsenal.
The Norwegian is at last able to consider himself a first-team regular at the Emirates now, something he was never able to do while at his former club.
Boss Mikel Arteta is of the belief that Odegaard has the kind of qualities that make him an on-field leader.
Speaking after a 1-0 win away at Burnley in which Odegaard scored the game's only goal, Arteta explained: "I think we are building some leadership in the group. It’s a really young group, with a lot of players under 23.
"Martin is the captain of the national team and Sambi [Lokonga] was the captain at Anderlecht.
"Martin has this capacity to do that with his talent, taking the ball in moments where others probably refuse to, but as well with his attitude, his rhythm and the way he presses and puts people under pressure."
Talk surrounding a potential new captain is rife after current skipper Aubameyang was dropped from Saturday's win after breaking club rules.
Pressed on why the Gabon international was not in the squad, Arteta revealed: "Unfortunately, due to a disciplinary breach.
"I think we have been very consistent with the non-negotiables on the team we have set ourselves and as a club, he is not involved today."
Arsenal's No.14 was pictured getting a new tattoo just 24 hours before kick-off, potentially breaking some club Covid-19 protocols, having only just returned from a trip to France.
