Clinton Morrison raved about Leeds United-owned Oxford United midfielder Lewis Bate on BBC Sport while watching him in action against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal on Monday evening.
The former Crystal Palace forward was impressed by Bate, on loan from Leeds at the moment, in his midfield role for Oxford in the FA Cup third-round tie against Arsenal.
The BBC Sport pundit said that the 20-year-old midfielder looked neat and tidy on the ball.
Morrison made the comments about the youngster in the first half.
Oxford were very good in the first 45 minutes of the tie and did not let Arsenal score.
However, the Premier League club stepped up their game in the second half and scored three goals.
Arsenal won the tie 3-0.
Bate joined League One club Oxford on loan from Premier League outfit Leeds in the summer of 2022.
Against Arsenal on Monday evening, the England Under-20 international midfielder had a pass accuracy of 78.1%, took 42 touches, made two tackles and three clearances, and put in two crosses.
So far this season, the 20-year-old has made 12 starts and three substitute appearances in League One for Oxford.
Bate has given two assists in those matches.
Praise for Leeds United-owned Lewis Bate v Arsenal
Morrison said: “Lewis Bate looks like their playmaker, everything goes through him, he is neat and tidy and always looks to play forward.”
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