The midfielder was outstanding in victory over Luton in midweek.
Arteta, ahead of tomorrow's trip to Brighton, said: "Yeah. I just look at him and what happened in the last seasons especially, but what happened three seasons (ago) as well.
Advertisement
Advertisement
"Take all that. It is the best thing that could have happened for him in his career - if he uses it the right way now. So, don't look back and say: 'Ah, if, if'. No, this happened, use it. 'That was the best thing that could have happened, I had great moments, I had difficult moments, now I know what I want, how to deal with that. That is going to make me a much better player'.
"And, you could see, the hell of a player that we have in him when he is fit and he is playing at that level."