Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has stated that Mikel Arteta's claim that Chelsea are the best attacking team in the Premier League is 'flabbergasting'.
The Gunners' boss said after the win over the Blues that Enzo Maresca's side were among the best in the world in open play, despite their relatively average showing so far in the Premier League this year.
"In my opinion, they're the best attacking team in the league," Arteta said after the game. "By a mile. The stats say it, everything I've seen says it in open play.
"They can open you, they can run in transitions, they have individual quality, any player in the defensive line can threaten inside. They can combine on both sides, their weaker sides, they are missing some big players at the moment.”
However, Merson - now a pundit for Sky Sports - says he cannot understand what Arteta is talking about, with a claim that even Chelsea fans will struggle to back.
"Mikel Arteta said Chelsea are the best attacking team in the Premier League after Arsenal's 1-0 victory over them on Sunday. I don't know what I'm missing," Merson said in his column.
"When Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer are playing, they're a good team. They bring the best out of each other. Palmer's a better player when Jackson's playing and Jackson's a better player when Palmer's playing. That is fact.
"But I'm flabbergasted by that quote. I honestly don't get that. There will be a lot of Chelsea fans reading that thinking, 'Wow! What is he talking about?'.
"Is Arteta saying that because Chelsea have spent £1.6billion yet haven't got a forward and can't score a goal and fans are moaning at him because Arsenal don't have a forward? Unless Palmer plays, I don't think Chelsea score goals."
While Palmer has himself been going through a lean period when it comes to attacking output, his absence was notable during the Blues' drab display at the Emirates Stadium.
Merson says another issue blighting Maresca's squad is the rotating cast in multiple areas of the pitch, with players unable to build efficient relationships.
"I still think Enzo Maresca is changing his wingers too often. They need to get a better run in the team," Merson added.
"You don't know who is going to play at centre-back and who is playing on the wing. He changes every week and I just don't think that helps.
"Christopher Nkunku's position is not on the wing. I feel sorry for him. I like him, I think he's a good player. He's one that plays behind the centre-forward.
"He's an intelligent footballer, connects things, but the problem is Palmer's been outstanding. I don't think Chelsea were foreseeing Palmer being as good as what he was hence why they bought Nkunku for a lot of money.
"But Chelsea are the best attacking team? They scored one goal against Leicester to win 1-0. Leicester, in their previous 20 matches, had only failed once to let in two or more goals in a Premier League game.
"I'm not buying into that one. I'm not buying in."