Morgan Rogers says Mikel Arteta released a player at Arsenal who was so good

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Arsenal will continue to keep tabs on Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers as his latest Premier League campaign unfolds.

Arsenal were linked with Rogers at the start of the summer but opted for moves for Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze instead.

The Aston Villa midfielder will join up with the Arsenal duo in the latest England squad and Mikel Arteta is known to be an admirer of the youngster.

Rogers is also evidently an admirer of the Gunners but may have some grievances with Arteta after he released one of his favourite players from the club back in 2021.

READ MORE: Louis Saha thinks Arsenal might now have another Olivier Giroud on their hands

Morgan Rogers names Mesut Ozil among his favourite Premier League players

Speaking to talkSPORT, Rogers was asked to reveal his ‘Mount Rushmore’ of attacking midfielders and named Mesut Ozil among his choices.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was a big fan of Ozil, however both players left Arsenal under a bit of a cloud following strained relations with Arteta.

Ozil was released in 2021 by the club to secure a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce, before the German retired in 2023.

Rogers named David Silva and Eden Hazard alongside Ozil but the England midfielder described how he loved the passing ability of the former Gunner.

The Aston Villa midfielder stated: “Mesut Ozil, Just his passing, he’s also so pleasing on the eye and nice to watch.”

Arsenal have lacked a sense of creativity at the start of this campaign and a player like Ozil would have certainly helped unlock the door.

Mikel Arteta should be concerned by latest Arsenal attacking statistic

The Gunners have endured two difficult away trips so far this season, sandwiched either side of a thumping 5-0 win over Leeds United.

However, a statistic has emerged that Arteta’s side are currently 19th in the Premier League for expected goals from open play – only Sunderland have a worse record.

Arteta was widely criticised for his conservative approach at Anfield, in particular his decision to start Mikel Merino over the likes of Eberechi Eze and Ethan Nwaneri.

If the Gunners are to end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title, the Spanish boss will have to release the handbrake and get his side playing in a more inventive way.