**Filling the boots of Eberechi Eze was never going to be easy.**
The England midfielder departed Crystal Palace for a new challenge at Arsenal this summer with 40 goals and 28 assists across 169 appearances in all competitions under his belt - including a historic goal at Wembley in the FA Cup to seal Palace a first major trophy.
But Senegal forward Ismaila Sarr has more than risen to the task of filling the void left by Eze with eight goals in 15 games this season.
His double on Thursday helped the Eagles to a [3-1 victory over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar](/sport/football/live/ce3xx43n7zlt) - a first win in the Europa Conference League on home soil - and underlined their credentials as one of the favourites for the title.
But it was not just the two goals that made Sarr the main talking point.
The 27-year-old was a constant threat going forward with his pace, touch, clever runs and link-up play with forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.
He hit the post in the early exchanges of the match before winning a penalty when goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro brought him down in the box, although Mateta ultimately missed the spot-kick.
Sarr then saw his header brilliantly saved before nipping in to bundle the ball over the line just before half-time then adding his second and Palace's third of the night when Mateta teed him up to charge through and slot home.
"Sarr is in hot form," said former Palace defender Joel Ward on TNT Sports.
"He adds so much to the team and, when there is space for him to attack and the ball is played in front of him, he is someone not many people can stand with and keep up with. He showed great composure throughout the game as well.
"Sarr is flying. With playing in that formation and being in the middle of the pitch and JP \[Mateta\] going deep, it allows those spaces for the wide players and the 10 to run in behind. It can confuse the defenders."