Sky pundit claims Lampard player is proof that Arteta’s missed a trick with Arsenal ace

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Paul Merson has suggested on Sky Sports that Chelsea are proof that Mikel Arteta has now missed a trick in playing Mesut Ozil in front of Thomas Partey.

Arsenal recorded a 1-0 win away at Manchester United on Sunday, with their summer signing proving to be one of the best players on the pitch and showing the world what they have been missing for years.

That performance from Partey has resulted in Merson thinking that Ozil could have played with the Ghana man in the middle of the park because he would have protected the German and allowed him to be freer.

The outspoken Sky Sports pundit used Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante as an example and how he is sweeping up everything in midfield and allowing the more technical and attack-minded players to thrive in Frank Lampard’s system.

“I think there was a stage for Ozil now Partey’s in the team,” said Merson. “I watched Chelsea play against Burnley, they played a back four, they played N’Golo Kante in front of the back four, and let everyone else get on with it. They ripped Burnley to shreds, I haven’t seen too many teams make Burnley look bang average.

“Because Kante was playing in that holding role, it gave Kai Havertz and Mason Mount the freedom to do what they want, they didn’t have to spend most of their time on the edge of their own box tracking back. With Partey in there now who’s so dominant in there and doesn’t lose the ball, I think there was a place for Ozil now. I think there was.

“Then if they do drop someone in to pick up Ozil, you’ve got someone like Partey who’s very comfortable on the ball and can hurt you. Then that frees a midfield player up. I think there’s a trick being missed here, but that’s just me.”

One of the main reasons why Arsenal were able to pick up an a previously unlikely away win against one of the so-called top-six was because of the work rate of the team.

From the get-go, the Arsenal players were pushing high up the pitch, they were being aggressive and not allowing Manchester United’s attacking players any time on the ball.

Whilst Ozil is a genius with the ball, it has to be questioned whether he would have been able to bring those above qualities to the table even with Partey in the midfield because that has seemingly been a problem for him.