Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has claimed that playmaker Mesut Ozil is the main threat in the Gunners' attacking arsenal.

The German international has accumulated 15 assists already this season, and he is well on his way to break Thierry Henry's record of 20 assists in a single Premier League campaign.

In the wake of Monday night's 2-1 win over Manchester City, the 31-year-old defender said of his compatriot: "He is vital for us, especially when we play deep.

"We want to get him the ball in the final third, that is what we are trying to do every single time.

"He is the main threat and he gives a good pass at the right moment and he can see the difference so we try and find him.

"That is the solution for us, to expose the back four and then he is really dangerous when he gets into that pocket and plays the ball behind.

"We could have got more goals against City with a bit more will in the final third because obviously they open up."