Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is delighted with the progress of Armand Traore since his loan last season at Portsmouth.
"He can be a big surprise because he has improved a lot," claimed Wenger. "Technically, tactically, and mentally he is a lot more mature."
The 19-year-old has one Reserve-team appearance to his name so far this season and Wenger admits it will be difficult for Traore to get a chance in the first-team as a left-back with so much competition for that place.
"He does not get his chance at the moment because he's a left-back," the manager told arsenal.com. "We have Clichy, we have Gibbs, and we have Traore, so it's very difficult for him to get a chance.
"But I use him as well now in left-midfield because he has huge power and pace, a good cross, and he's a finisher as well."