Henrikh Mkhitaryan insists he can be effective in the same Arsenal team as Mesut Ozil

Arsenal's new signing says he ‘cannot understand’ those who say Arsene Wenger will not be able to accommodate the two number 10s in the same team

Mkhitaryan believes he can play alongside Ozil (Getty)

Henrikh Mkhitaryan insists that he can play in the same team as new Arsenal team-mate Mesut Ozil, stressing that he “cannot understand” those who say Arsene Wenger will not be able to accommodate the two number 10s in the same team.

Mkhitaryan has made a bright start to life at the Emirates Stadium, providing three assists in an outstanding debut performance against Everton.

But he was anonymous in his next game, against Spurs, as Ozil also struggled.

That led some critics to suggest the two could not function effectively in the same team, but Mkhitaryan insists they will flourish together.

“Some people are saying we cannot play together, but I can't understand these people that are saying that,” he told ESPN. “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. I mean maybe we can improve in every aspect, it doesn't matter if we are strong in one side and weak in the other -- I think there are a lot of spaces for improvement.”

Arsenal face two cup ties this week. First they take on Ostersund in the second-leg of their Europa League tie, before Wenger’s side head to Wembley for the EFL Cup final against Premier League leaders Manchester City.