Matteo Guendouzi has continued to impress in an Arsenal shirt this season, starting every Premier League in the 2019/20 campaign.
The 20-year-old's mixture of fight and technique has set him apart as one of Unai Emery's most dominant midfielders which showed throughout September when he won the club's Player of the Month award.
Able to break forward as well as dictate play, the Frenchman spoke to Arsenal's matchday programme about how his martial arts background has helped with this.
"I think it (Karate) really helped me in terms of my mentality," Guendouzi said.
"Being a fighter on the pitch, always wanting to win and get stuck into duels in a bid to help the team. Karate has helped me a lot in that regard.
"When I was young, I came third in a karate competition in France, which was great, but it was difficult to combine football and karate.
"I certainly have very fond memories from doing karate."
The mental toughness both on and off the ball Guendouzi brought to Arsenal last summer was clear from the get go, but has only elevated this year.
In the north London derby, he drove Arsenal back into the game with his dribbling, a long-range effort that kissed the post and his inch-perfect assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Following this, he was called up to the French national team for the first time.
When back in Arsenal colours, he didn't coast, with even more marauding forward runs against Aston Villa which he also credits karate for.
"I'd say I'm more flexible on the pitch which is a great help," he added.
"As for my fitness, karate is very intense, so I think that's why I'm able to make such a big effort have that warrior-like mentality."
Guendouzi's work at Arsenal isn't just being recognised by Didier Deschamps and the French national setup, however.
He was named on the 20-man shortlist for the 2019 Golden Boy award alongside players like Matthijs De Ligt and Joao Felix.
Arriving at Arsenal from Ligue 2 side Lorient, Guendouzi is well aware of the rapid progress he has made since joining the Gunners.
"It shows that I've been working hard at Arsenal and have also done well at international level," the Frenchman said.
"I think it's a reward for all the hard work that I've done at the club and the good displays I've produced, but it also reflects my progress in training and how much I've come on as a player here.
"It's a huge reward for all my hard work and I'm hugely proud to be part of the 20 players under the age of 21 who've been nominated.
"There are fantastic players everywhere and it's a wonderful award for whoever ends up winning it."
