Thomas Eisfield reminds Arsene Wenger of Robert Pires because both players are like "snakes" in the penalty area.

The Germany youth international opened the scoring in Arsenal's Capital One Cup tie at West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, collecting Nicklas Bendtner's precision pass and finishing with aplomb.

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Eisfeld has scored goals from all angles for the under-21s - he netted nine times last season - and Wenger says he has a rare quality.

"He is a Pires type," the manager told Arsenal Player. "He appears to be in the box without being noisy and appearing suddenly. When he is there, he finishes well.

"He has that kind of quality that some midfielders have - not many. They have the timing to get in dangerous situations. When they have those dangerous situations, they are like snakes. They bite you to death because they don't miss their first touch.

"He's cool enough in front of goal and he finishes well."