The Brazilian has been a revelation since joining the Catalans from Gremio in the summer, helping the side to adapt to the loss of a legend
Arthur's arrival has helped Barcelona adapt to life without Andres Iniesta ahead of the first Clasico of the season, according to former Real Madrid midfielder Michael Essien.
The Brazil international has slotted in alongside Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets in Barca's midfield and has drawn comparisons to another of the club's iconic modern players, Xavi.
Arthur joined from Gremio for an initial €30 million €31m (£27m/$36m) fee plus €9m in possible variables, with his performances - particularly in the Champions League - suggesting Barca picked up a bargain.
And with the 22-year-old set to face Real Madrid on Sunday at Camp Nou, Essien feels Arthur has been the perfect replacement for former captain Iniesta, who joined Japanese side Vissel Kobe earlier in the year.
"They have signed this young Brazilian, he looks like such a good player," Essien told Omnisport.
"And they still have [Ivan] Rakitic and [Sergio] Busquets, so it's practically the same.
"You don't really feel the absence of Iniesta in there, at least at the moment. It's a shame he left but that's football isn't it?"
While Barca top La Liga despite Iniesta's departure, Madrid have struggled to adapt following the shock sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus, with Julen Lopetegui reportedly on the brink of being sacked.
A 2-1 win against Viktoria Plzen ended a five-game run without a victory in all competitions, yet Essien feels Madrid can still triumph in the Clasico despite their poor form.
"Why not? The players are still there," Essien added. "Madrid are still one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they still have the players.
"It’s such a shame that Ronaldo left but it's one of those things that can happen in football. They are going to go into the game and hopefully look to win the game."
Barca captain Lionel Messi will also miss the fixture due to a fractured arm, meaning it will be the first Clasico without either the Argentina superstar or Ronaldo since 2007.
Essien, though, does not feel the match has lost any of its lustre despite Messi, Ronaldo and Iniesta all being absent.
"Of course it's the best," Essien continued. "Playing in El Clasico is one of the most memorable highlights in my career.
"I played four El Clasicos, won two, drew too, I never lost. It's such a big game, and the whole world wants to watch it."
BarcaTopFan
272
The guy who can turn 180 and 360 degree without losing ball 👏🏻 and have more than 90% passing accuracy in last 4 matches.. Top - Class Mid-Fielder👌🏻
messimiliano
191
If there is one thing that makes me love Messi very well it is because while on the pitch, he looks forward to making everybody around him an excellent player so that he can leave behind him a club that he and we the fans can sit and admire during their playing time. We all saw this yesterday and I'm glad arthur is finding his xavi path at an early age of 22. That is also why I want Malcom and dembele to be patient enough so they can be part and make up a glorious barca team to be in the near future. Forca barca all the way
Christopher_Robin
117
Isn't it amazing to see barca moving on without Messi? ?? I was actually scared that barca might lose without him because lately they had been so depended upon him...but yesterday nights win over inter made me speechless......the catalans have proved that they are barca and That they are not a team made of a single player but one of 11 players. Messi 's injury was terrible but it has brought out the great in the Catalans and has made every individual player other than Messi shine(example: Arthur, Alba, Rafhina, etc.) I'm so happy to be supporting a team like this and I wish they have a sack load to success in the future to come and I really hope that Messi comes back as soon as posible to support his team and stay as the UCL top scorer.