Antoine Griezmann may not seem like a leader in the conventional sense; he’s never worn the armband for club or country and cuts a rather diminutive figure at just 5 foot 9.
But the Frenchman shouldered the pressure of talisman well at Real Sociedad, playing a pivotal role in their rise from the second tier to the Champions League in the space of four seasons, and offers the tenacity and grit Arsenal are often accused of lacking in the final third.
Indeed, he’s flourished at Atletico Madrid, completely buying into Diego Simeone’s all-for-one philosophy, and importing that determination and enthusiasm into the Gunners starting Xi could well see it filter into the rest of the squad.
Furthermore, the 24-year-old is a real talent and even if he’s not the loudest voice in the dressing room, he leads with his goals – 46 over the last two campaigns with the Mattress Makers.