It's been a meteoric rise for Matteo Guendouzi.
Just 20 months ago, our young midfielder was playing for Lorient in Ligue 2 but has since played in a Europa League final, been nominated for the Golden Boy and Raymond Kopa awards, and received a senior call-up for France.
So how has that standout debut campaign impacted Guendouzi?
"The fans definitely expect different things from me now," the 20-year-old told Arsenal Player. "Right at the beginning, last year, I arrived as a new player, a young player who had just arrived and who was unknown.
"Then, inevitably, my playing well from the beginning last year was something new but I was still seen as a young player and new player that they did not know. Now, I have shown them what I am capable of.
"I have shown them that I can help the team a lot. So it is normal that they now expect a lot more from me, especially as I have played a lot of games last season. Then, since the beginning of the season, I have started in numerous games so it is normal that they expect a lot from me. In any case, I will always try to meet [those expectations] on the pitch.
"I think that I have a certain status in the team now. I have been able to show that I can perform well so I now need to be consistent, always help the team, always give it my best and always play well on the pitch.
"I think I improved and that my level increased a lot this year. I really think that I have hit many milestones and moved up a good few notches. I am even better than last season. My objective is to always keep making progress and that is what I will do in the years to come, keep on improving so I can be the best."
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