Exciting 16 year-old Arsenal prospect Jay Emmanual-Thomas is delighted with his reserve-team breakthrough this season.

The versatile 16-year-old put in a man-of-the-match showing against Portsmouth on Monday, dominating the midfield in a way Arsenal fans will have likened to former captain Patrick Vieira.

"I do my fair share of the work at both ends," Emmanuel-Thomas told Arsenal.com. "I am more of an attack-minded midfielder though, scoring or setting up others.

"I'm happy to be in the Reserves, but I can still play for the Under-18s," said Emmanuel-Thomas. "As long as I keep playing at this level though, and against stronger opponents, my game will get better."