Matteo Guendouzi’s impressive progress at Arsenal has pleased Gilberto Silva, but a Gunners legend admits there is still room for improvement from the Frenchman.
Little was known about the promising midfielder when he arrived at Emirates Stadium from Lorient in the summer of 2018.
He was, however, trusted enough by Unai Emery to go straight into a Premier League starting XI and has not looked back from that point.
The 20-year-old has been a rare model of consistency for the Gunners, while also earning a first call-up to the senior France squad.
There is also plenty of potential still to be unlocked in his game, with a man who once filled a similar holding role in north London hoping to see a highly-rated talent kick on again from this point.
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Silva, who formed part of the ‘Invincibles’ squad from 2003-04, said of a modern day star: “[Guendouzi] is still young and he’s improving.
“But it has not been easy for him, and for everyone, in a couple of games.
“It’s about timing, he still has room to mature, he’s still improving his game.
“But he’s played some good games and I hope he keeps doing well for the team.”
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Arsenal have shown over recent weeks that a new-look squad for 2019-20 is starting to come together.
They have gone unbeaten through eight games in all competitions, winning five.
Their most recent success came in the Premier League against Bournemouth, with David Luiz netting the only goal of the game.
The experienced Brazilian centre-half is another of those Arsenal are looking to for inspiration, with Silva backing a fellow countryman to live up to expectations following a summer switch from Chelsea.
He added: “It’s not so easy to move from one big club to another because the expectation is so high.
“I know it was important for him to score the winning goal and I hope he keeps doing well for the team, this is what I wish from him.
“He’s a Brazilian, we always support them, it doesn’t matter where they are.”
Arsenal will return to action after the international break with a trip to Sheffield United on October 21.