Gabriel Jesus has rightfully received plenty of plaudits for his Arsenal performances since joining from Manchester City, but fellow ex-Etihad star Oleksandr Zinchenko has quietly been putting in some stellar displays of his own.
The left-back cost the Gunners £30million but so far that has looked like quite the steal, with Zinchenko slotting into the first-team fold as if he was a Hale End-graduate himself. Some feared he would find it difficult to dislodge Kieran Tierney as first-choice left-back, but that has proved light work for the Ukrainian.
Former Manchester United defender-turned-pundit Gary Neville was one of the more high-profile voices to raise some fears over the transfer. While there was little doubt over Zinchenko's quality, the ex-Old Trafford star did speculate over whether he was the kind of character that would improve Arsenal in the long run, the kind that would help drag them over the line.
"On the pitch in difficult moments who in that team (is going to get Arsenal over the line)?" Neville asked on Sky Sports. "I have watched Zinchenko. He’s not a leader. I love him to bits. He’s not a leader on the pitch.
"Is he going to in the difficult moments of the season be able to pull it all together? He might do."
The early signs contradict Neville's leadership claim, as Zinchenko has already sealed his place in the hearts of the Arsenal faithful with his vocal nature and calm persona on the ball.
However, things went up a level during Saturday evening's dramatic last-gasp win over Fulham at the Emirates. Zinchenko wasn't even in the match-day squad after picking up a light knock yet chose to sit with his teammates in the dug-out rather than one of the plush executive boxes.
When Gabriel Magalhaes bundled home a late winner, Zinchenko was the first to dart down the touchline and mob his teammate who was actually guilty of a mistake in the build-up to Fulham's opener. The left-back actually enjoyed a near-miss, as one steward appeared to think the Arsenal star was actually a pitch invader looking to join in on the celebrations.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Zinchenko a 'leader' among the Arsenal squad? Comment below
It was Zinchenko's conduct shortly after that was a perfect representation of how he could already be regarded as a leader in the Gunners' dressing room. Fulham were awarded a late-free kick inside Arsenal's half, which prompted a remarkable reaction from the crocked full-back.
Zinchenko was stood inside the technical area almost as if he was the Arsenal manager, shouting furiously at the fourth official in an attempt to try and apply pressure to overturn the decision or at the very least remain in the back of the official's mind next time a contentious decision is made.
The new Gunners recruit was arguing his point so passionately he had to actually be forcibly moved away from the situation by other members of Arteta's back-room staff, but Zinchenko's outburst certainly got the home crowd going.
While it may not exactly be within the rulebook, outbursts like the one Zinchenko was guilty of undeniably go down well with your own supporters. The defender already naturally commands respect due to the fact he is a four-time Premier League winner from his Etihad days, but his recent behaviour suggests his heart is now entirely at the Emirates.
