Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has lavished praise on Leandro Trossard's "football intelligence" following the Belgian's history-making performance in Sunday's win over Fulham.
The Belgium international made a rapid recovery from a groin injury to start at Craven Cottage, where Arsenal re-established a five-point lead at the top of the table with a 3-0 triumph.
Trossard was the architect of a sensational first-half performance from Arteta's side, setting up all three of the Gunners' goals for Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard.
The ex-Brighton & Hove Albion man has now become the first player in Premier League history to register three assists in the first half of an away game, and he has proven to be an astute acquisition since joining in January.
Speaking to the media in his post-game press conference, Arteta waxed lyrical about Trossard's "superb" display and praised his immediate adaptation to Arsenal's style of play.
"When we talk about composure and finding the right pass, and looking to the right player in the box, it's very blurry and some other players make rash decisions, and he created three goals," arsenal.com quotes Arteta as saying.
"He could have scored two – I think he was really impressive. Not only that, he had an injury only a few days ago and that injury could have taken a week or 10 days.
"He was really willing to come back early, the physios and doctors did really well to do that. That changes things in the team, and we needed him today, his contribution was superb.
"It's football intelligence, he's really clever to understand straightaway what you want, what is required, what is his role and he's executing it really well."
Arsenal's triumph at Craven Cottage marked Arteta's 100th win from 167 games in charge of the Gunners, who also became the first-ever team in English Football League history to win five successive London derbies away from home while keeping a clean sheet each time.
While their side failed to score in the second half, Arsenal fans cheered loudly for the return of Gabriel Jesus, who came off the bench for his first Gunners appearance since recovering from a knee operation.
The 25-year-old had a late effort saved by Bernd Leno, and while Arteta has affirmed that Jesus's return is brilliant news for the team, he has challenged the striker to win his place back in the first XI.
"A few days ago, he told me he was missing something and then yesterday he looked me in the eyes and told me he was ready," Arteta added.
"Then today we had the opportunity to throw him in because it's that first step to give him the boost. He looked free and generated two big chances straightaway, and it's great to have him back.
"Now he needs to earn his place like anyone else in the team. We have alternatives that can play in different positions and we have different roles to fill in relation to the chemistry of the players and what we ask them to do. It's a great problem to have, believe me."
Arsenal now turn their attention back to the Europa League, as Sporting Lisbon visit the Emirates Stadium on Thursday evening for the second leg of their last-16 tie following a 2-2 draw in the opening encounter. body check tags ::
