Takehiro Tomiyasu has been praised for his toughness and likened to Arsenal icons of past decades.
The Japan international arrived from Bologna in the summer and went straight into Mikel Arteta's starting line-up for the 1-0 victory over Norwich.
He has missed just one league match since then - the 5-0 victory over the same opponents at Carrow Road last month - and his displays have drawn praise from all quarters.
His no-nonsense approach has won him several admirers, including former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell, who has compared the right back with former players Lee Dixon and Lauren.