David Moyes has heaped praise on former Blues midfielder Mikel Arteta as his side prepare to do battle with the Spaniard at the Emirates this weekend.
Arteta has become a first team fixture for Arsene Wenger since his deadline day switch to Arsenal for £10m in Januray.
And his former boss Moyes said he has been impressed with the midfielder who he believes is now a vital part of the Gunners game.
Moyes said: "Of what I've seen from watching the television I think he's played well, he's had lots of touches of the ball and he's been on it consistently.
"So I actually think he's become really important, I think probably with Van Persie, Mikel's been the next important player for them.
"He's kept their continuity and their passing going, we all know he's a really good player.
"He was great for us in his time here so it's good to see him doing well."
The Blues' boss barely has time to be thinking about his opponents side however, with midweek injuries having thrown up midfield headaches of his own.
Injuries to Jack Rodwell and Leon Osman have all but ruled out those two for the tough trip. Moyes said he is now hoping Louis Saha can recover from a thigh strain to add some much needed firepower to the side.
He said: "Unfortunately Jack Rodwell has picked up a hamstring injury in training on Thursday and Leon Osman looks like he's got a similar injury which he got in the last five minutes of the game against Stoke, so it looks like both those players will be missing.
"Maybe we'll get Louis Saha back with a bit of luck, we'll see how he is in training but obviously the injuries to Jack and Ossie leave me short in central midfield at this present time."
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