Peter Crouch highlighted Dani Ceballos for enabling Mesut Ozil to put in an improved performance in Arsenal's 3-2 win over Everton on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta's new-look midfield impressed with Ozil given more creative freedom, fed by Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos in deep-lying positions.
Ex-England star Crouch hailed the midfield three as symbolic of Arsenal's refreshed approach under new manager Arteta.
He hailed Real Madrid loanee Ceballos and the experienced Xhaka willingness to do the dirty work and provide a platform for Ozil's creativity he has often not been provided with in recent months at the Emirates.
And he highlighted how Ozil was now playing with a smile on his face and playing more daring passes again.
“It was typified by the midfield three: Ceballos, Xhaka and Ozil," Crouch said on Match of the Day 2.
"I just thought they did the dirty work the two and they went and let Ozil play. Ozil now seems to be playing with a smile on his face.
"Here is Ceballos and he has come from Real Madrid. I think a lot of people thought he would be good on the ball, a typical Arsenal player of recent years.
"He might not be able to do the dirty the dirty side of the game but proved he can do that today. They linked up very well all day.
“They played very close to each other and this wasn’t happening at the start of the season. Xhaka, again, just staying there and letting Ozil play.
"He was wanting the ball and playing with a smile on his face. He was playing those types of passes that we know he can play.
“They typified Arsenal today. I think there is a spirit, a fight and that certainly wasn’t there at the start of the season. Arteta deserves a lot of credit.”
