Thursday 27 October 2016 15:38, UK
Aitor Karanka says Adama Traore will become "an amazing player" at Middlesbrough once he learns the art of teamwork.
Karanka handed Traore his first Premier League start at Arsenal and was rewarded with a man-of-the-match performance as the 20-year-old's pace threatened to bring a shock win.
The game finished goalless, but that result was enough to ease the pressure on the Boro manager, whose side have won just once this season.
Next up is a home game against Bournemouth on Saturday, and Karanka said of Traore at his pre-match press conference: "He has massive potential. He needs to learn tactically but he's ready to learn.
"I said before the Arsenal game that Adama can bring us the pace we didn't have. In the Premier League you need players like him.
"It's more about him understanding that he's come into a really organised team. He needs to understand everything. When he does he will be an amazing player."
Saturday's game will be Karanka's 150th in charge of Boro and he said: "It's been almost three years and some of it feels like it's gone really quick, some really slow.
"Three years ago, I was in this room with one job, with one thing to do and it was to get Middlesbrough Football Club into the Premier League and we are in the Premier League, so that's the main thing.
"I have always said that when I met [chairman] Steve Gibson, I knew that to come here was the best decision. After three years, we have grown together because the club was going to League One and we are in the Premier League.
"We have to trust each other. Steve, I think, trusts me and I trust him and the club and everything. This is the way."
Karanka sees a kindred spirit in Eddie Howe, Saturday's opposite number whose achievements at Bournemouth have seen him linked with the England job.
"Always against Eddie it has been a really good game," the Boro boss said. "The same way the club trusts me, Bournemouth trusts Eddie Howe. It's no coincidence that they are in this position now.
"If he goes on to become England manager it will be a good appointment, but Gareth Southgate is in charge and I hope he does a good job. He's a really good manager."
