While they haven't been perfect, Arsenal have been far and away the best team in the Premier League this season.
Mikel Arteta's side are sitting four points clear of second place, and while the attack is yet to click fully, the rest of the team have been exceptional.
One of the standout stars, as was the case last year and the season before that, has been Declan Rice.
Declan-Rice-Arsenal-Burnley
The England international has been a difference maker on more than one occasion so far, and so fans should be delighted about reports linking Arsenal to someone who could be another Rice-type signing.
Arsenal target another Declan Rice
There are a few stars in contention for Arsenal's Player of the Season thus far, and Rice is undoubtedly one of them.
On top of becoming even more of an attacking threat in that left-eight position he moved into last season, the former West Ham United captain has shown more of that defensive steel he was famous for, dropping into a double pivot on several occasions with Martin Zubimendi.
So with the Englishman thriving in all phases of play, it's not a surprise to see Arsenal moving for another player of his ilk, an international star in the making: Adam Wharton.
rice-merino
At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which claims the Gunners are one of several sides keen to sign the Crystal Palace star.
The report has revealed that, alongside the North Londoners, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are racing to sign the 21-year-old, while Real Madrid are also keeping tabs on the situation.
However, on top of beating out the competition, the Gunners will have to stump up around £100m to tempt the Eagles into selling the jewel in their crown.
With all that said, Wharton's immense ability and potential make him a player worth pushing the boat out for, especially as he could be another Rice for Arsenal.
Why Wharton would be another Rice for Arsenal
Described as "the best U21 player in the Prem" by one analyst, if Arsenal were to bring Wharton to the Emirates in January, it would be another example of them poaching a highly rated central midfielder from another Premier League side.
Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton reacts after the match
Moreover, they would once again be taking a non-big six London-based outfit's best English central midfielder.
Finally, it would be the second time within a three-year period that the North Londoners spend north of £100m to do so.
Now, beyond what would make the deals so similar, what makes the Palace ace analogous to the former West Ham star?
Well, like his older compatriot was at the time of his move, the 21-year-old ace is very highly rated, with former Sky Sports employee Matthew Stanger labelling him a "generational talent" and one CONCACAF B certified coach dubbing him "the best deep-lying English midfielder since Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick."
While that is indeed supreme praise, it's easy to see where it has come from, as much like the 72-capped England star, he is capable of doing more than just sitting deep and shielding the back four.
For example, FBref ranks him in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe's top five leagues for expected assisted goals, the top 4% for key passes, the top 5% for through balls, the top 10% for shot-creating actions, and more, all per 90 minutes.
Wharton's Scout Report
Statistics
xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals
GCA (Dead-ball Pass)
Key Passes
Through Balls
xA: Expected Assists
Inswinging Corner Kicks
SCA (Dead-ball Pass)
npxG + xAG
Shot-Creating Actions
Crosses into Penalty Area
SCA (Live-ball Pass)
SCA (Take-On)
Goal-Creating Actions
Crosses
All Stats via FBref
Additionally, he has already won three senior caps for the Three Lions, and played a pivotal role in the Eagles winning the FA Cup last season - the first major honour in their history.
Ultimately, it is still early in his career, but Wharton looks to be a superstar in the making, and under someone like Arteta, could develop into another Rice-type monster.