The playmaker has been handed the armband for the U18s this campaign, and he responded by slotting home a penalty against Reading in the last round to set up Wednesday’s Fourth Round clash against non-League Royston Town – who have battled through seven rounds to reach the last 32.
And the youngster, who represented England U17s last season, has impressed his senior counterpart with his attitude this season.
Arsenal v Royston Town
FA Youth Cup
Fourth Round
7pm, Wednesday 21 January
Boreham Wood
"Daniel Crowley scored in the last round and he has impressed me for two reasons," said Arteta in the Arsenal Matchday Programme.
"The first is of course his talent, but he is also gaining maturity and if he keeps doing that then he can be a very good player.
"I’m glad they have given him the armband in The Youth Cup because that will give him more responsibility and he will need to be a real example to the other players.
"He’s at the right club with the right people around him to guide him and to become a very important player."
The Spaniard added: "He’s definitely got the talent, and if you put that together with mental strength and the willingness to hard work, then you’ve got a great chance. That’s what he needs to do.
"If you had asked me a few months ago if he was heading in the right direction, I wouldn’t have been able to give you a certain answer. But now I can say I really like the way he has matured and grown up lately."
Arteta has been impressed by Crowley
Heading into the tie, which could see fellow England youth internationals Stefan O’Connor, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Ryan Huddart feature for the Gunners, Coventrty-born Crowley is hoping that the experiences gained by his team-mates will prove enough to see them through.
"Of course we’re going to take it seriously," Crowley told Arsenal.com. "You have to win your game. If you don’t, you’re out. There’s a lot more pressure on you to win.
"Stefan O’Connor has played for the first team and that was a great experience for him.
"Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Gedion Zelalem have also been involved with the first team, and Ryan Huddart has been on the bench a couple of times. We’ve got an experienced but very young side."
And having been handed the captain’s armband, the 17-year-old former Aston Villa player added: "I do like being captain and I enjoy the extra responsibility, I like leading the team out and trying to be an example.
"I’m loving my football at the moment. Andries Jonker and the academy staff have made it really easy for me. They told me that I’ve got to set up and score more goals - that’s what I’m looking to do."
Arsenal v Royston Town kicks-off at 7pm at Boreham Wood FC’s Meadow Park and entry is free.
