Mikel Arteta praised Danny Welbeck as a striker who "has everything" ahead of another reunion with the former Arsenal forward.
The Gunners travel to face Brighton on Wednesday night as they look to maintain, or even extend, their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
There is every chance that Welbeck starts against his former club after scoring in his last two appearances.
The 35-year-old is already into double figures in the Premier League for the campaign, matching last season's tally of 10 goals - which was the best of his career.
Arteta captained Welbeck during his playing days at Arsenal and he remains a big admirer of the striker.
"As a person, top," Arteta said of Welbeck. "So good in and around the dressing room with the players.
“Whether he was a starter or a finisher, when he had some long-term injuries as well, always a really positive person around the place.
"As a nine, I think he has everything. He can hold the ball up, he can run in behind, technically very, very good. He can finish actions in the box in different ways. Top player."
Welbeck was rewarded for his form this week with a 12-month contract extension at Brighton.
He suffered with significant injury problems earlier in his career but has played in 27 of the Seagulls’ 28 league matches this season.
"I'm really happy with him," Arteta said. "Obviously we were team-mates. He's an exceptional guy, a really professional guy. I'm very happy for him.
"He had some difficult moments in his career, he really had to show his character and probably go against the odds.
"[People said] 'No, he cannot do it', and he's doing it and probably better than ever."
There have even been suggestions that Welbeck could make a late push into Thomas Tuchel's England squad for this summer's World Cup.
The most recent of Welbeck's 42 caps for the Three Lions came in 2018.
"I don't know if he wants to be there, but if he [does] I will be very, very happy for him," Arteta said.
