Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has urged his players to lessen the load on Mesut Ozil.

The German has had a difficult campaign this season, but he was one of the major positives from Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Ozil turned in one of his best performances of the calendar year and received a standing ovation when he was substituted.

"On his own he can't do it. That's what I was saying. He needs the collective structure and organisation and his teammates," said Arteta.

“Nowadays, there are only one or two players in the world who can do something on their own. He needs help and he needs the team to play in a certain way to facilitate his strengths more and more in the game. That's what we're trying to do.

“I'm hoping he can sustain this level every three or four days. He's putting in everything he has to try and do that, and I think his numbers physically have improved so much as well. He's willing every day in training.

“I know him really well, so I'm not surprised [at his form]. I know his ability and I know the player we have there, and as well, the structure has to be there to be able to help him to take everything that he has inside."