Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has conceded that the way he has deployed Oleksandr Zinchenko this season has been inspired by Pep Guardiola's use of Phillip Lahm.
Guardiola had the German international at his disposal while he was manager of Bayern Munich and came up with a tactic that has gone on to help shape Arsenal's title charge this term. Lahm, traditionally a right-back, boasted such technical prowess he was used in a more central midfield role after the then-Bayern boss dubbed him "the most intelligent player I have ever coached".
Zinchenko's efforts this season have produced something similar. Many Arsenal fans may have thought they were getting a reliable, if not world class left-back when the Ukrainian signed from Manchester City in the summer, but he has transformed the way the Gunners play almost single-handedly.
