Arsenal’s winter signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan has insisted that he is capable of alongside Mesut Ozil in an attacking midfield partnership. The Armenia international made a tremendous start to his Gunners career with a hat-trick of assists versus Everton, but he failed to perform with the same intensity in the derby defeat against Tottenham Hotspur which followed.

In an interview with ESPN FC, Mkhitaryan refuted suggestions that he cannot partner Ozil on the playing field whilst stressing the club have a greater scope for improvement on the offensive side of their game, he said: “Some people are saying we cannot play together, but I can’t understand these people that are saying that. I’m just enjoying playing with Mesut and he’s an amazing football player.I’m getting better playing with him, everyone knows his skills, abilities, so why not? Everything is possible, why not have two No. 10s on a pitch?You know, even if we [Arsenal] play very good, there’s always room for improvement — even if we were playing offensive football, we can still improve.”

Since the derby loss to Spurs, Mkhitaryan has only featured in the double-legged Europa League round of 32 tie versus Osterunds which the Gunners won by an aggregate 4-2 scoreline. The Gunners return to Premier League action on Thursday night with a game against Manchester City. Mkhitaryan will be tasked with the job of securing a positive result after a damaging 3-0 loss to the same opposition in the League Cup final last weekend.

Mkhitaryan had struggled for consistency during his 18-month spell with Manchester United, but the 29-year-old believes he has more chances of becoming a success with the Gunners. Since the club adopt a similar attacking brand of football, it reminds him of his time with ex-club Borussia Dortmund. Mkhitaryan has also been reunited with Aubameyang at the Emirates, and they will pair together for just the third time in the Arsenal colours in midweek.