Aaron Ramsey must recognise Mesut Ozil is now Arsenal's number 10, says Frank Lampard

Former Chelsea midfielder says Welshman must embrace deeper role at Arsenal

(2015 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)

Aaron Ramsey must accept that Mesut Ozil is the creative focus for Arsenal and embrace a more defensive role, according to former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.

Ramsey was the stand-out player during the Gunners' 2-0 win over Aston Villa, playing in a deep role alongside Mattieu Flamini. His performance, which saw a 91 per cent pass success rate and five tackles made, was capped with a goal.

Despite his fine performance on Sunday, the Welshman has not excelled this season, with some putting his quieter displays down to playing further back than he would prefer.

But rather than let his performances suffer, Lampard says Ramsey must embrace the deeper role.

"Ramsey has to change his game and think about the defensive side of his game," Lampard said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

"With [Mesut] Ozil playing so well he knows he's not going to get that number 10 role, so he'll have to drop deeper."

Ozil has been exceptional this season, creating 13 goals for his team-mates and propelling the Gunners to the summit of the table after their win over Aston Villa. It was the German who laid on the ball for Ramsey's goal at Villa Park. Lampard recognises the World Cup winner will remain Arsenal's playmaker, but is yet to be convinced Rasmey can play further back against the top sides.

"At the moment he [Ramsey] doesn't yet have the ability to play in a midfield two.

"I love him as a player, very bright and very clever but you can see the way he's running back he doesn't really want to do it.

"Ramsey has to see that Ozil is the number 10 and drop back in.

"It's alright playing like he does when you're playing the lesser teams, but when you're playing top teams you need to be more secure."