Jon Toral grabbed the headlines on Tuesday night when the on-loan Arsenal midfielder hit a hat-trick in Brentford's demolition of basement-boys Blackpool.
The young Gunner has yet to make a first-team appearance for the North Londoners and joined the Bees on a season-long deal in the summer for his first taste of competitive senior football.
Arsene Wenger's men have been linked with moves for Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus and Schalke star Julian Draxler, but Toral's progress at Griffin Park could give the Frenchman some food for thought.
Background
The 20-year-old came through Barcelona's famous La Masia academy, and was part of their Under-16 side that won the global Nike Cup at Old Trafford in 2010.
However, Toral, who played in the same team as Hector Bellerin , turned his back on the Catalan giants to pursue his dreams of playing in England.
The Spaniard rejected a new deal at the Camp Nou to join Arsenal in 2011 in a deal worth around £300,000.
However, his time at the Emirates has been ravaged by injury problems. He had only just recovered from knee surgery when he made the move to the capital.
But following just a few games for Arsenal's U18s, Toral went under the knife again on the same knee. Four operations in the space of just two years has hampered his progress at the Gunners.
However, he bounced back to make 15 appearances for the Arsenal U21s last campaign and has so far enjoyed an injury-free spell with the Bees.
Is he the next Frank Lampard?
Toral's goalscoring exploits at youth level drew comparisons with England midfielder Frank Lampard .
The Spaniard has struck five goals in just seven starts for the Championship promotion-chasers this term, including a screamer at Bolton in October.
He became the first Bees player to score a treble for more than three years when he put the struggling Seasiders to the sword this week.
However, Toral has been used on the left of a three behind a lone striker, rather than in a central role.
Despite his recent scoring spree, the young gun is more of a creative midfielder teeing-up goals for others.
Strengths
Toral has been educated at the highest level and came off the same production line as Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta.
He is technically very good, elegant on the ball, has a range of passes and an eye for goal. He has a wand of a left foot.
Weaknesses
Toral was sent on loan to Brentford to gain first-team experience and has had to bide his time at Griffin Park as he struggled to get to grips with the rough and tumble of the Championship.
However, he is slowly but surely adapting to the physical nature of men's football.
He must improve his defensive side of the game and needs to play alongside someone who can do the dirty work to give him freedom to play.
In pictures - Jon Toral scores his first senior hat-trick
Will he make it at Arsenal?
While his former Barcelona team-mate Bellerin has broken into the Gunners first-team, Toral is still way down the pecking order at the Emirates.
However, Bellerin made the successful step up after a loan spell at Watford and Toral will be hoping to follow his pal's path.
Brentford boss Mark Warburton has backed the midfielder to go on and play at the highest level, but whether that will be with Arsene Wenger's side remains to be seen.
He said: "Jon’s a tremendous talent and I have no doubt he can go on and play in the Premier League.
"He was fantastic for us and is a credit to himself and Arsenal. He was educated at Barcelona’s academy and just needed to go out and play games."
Did you know?
Toral is one of three Spaniards at Griffin Park and helps out with translation for team-mate Jota - a £1million summer arrival from Celta Vigo.
The 20-year-old is fluent in English as his mum was born in Doncaster.
