Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has said that teammate Henrikh Mkhitaryan is "brilliant" to work with.

Armenian international Mkhitaryan, who in January joined the Gunners from Manchester United in a swap deal for Alexis Sanchez, set up three goals on his debut for the club in a 5-1 defeat of Everton.

The 29-year-old has settled in well at the Emirates Stadium, something which Mertesacker was confident of when he arrived.

"I said when we signed Mkhitaryan that I was delighted to have him with us, and the early signs have been impressive," the defender is quoted as saying by the London Evening Standard. "I'm told that he has already assisted five goals and I'm not too surprised at that because he has that vision, that creativity.

"He's not only a good player but he's a great character too. He's interested in improving and is eager to learn, even though he's 29. Honestly, it's been brilliant to work with him. Mkhitaryan wants to work hard, he wants to learn and he wants to take on our DNA, which fits so well to him personally.

"It was promising to see Mkhitaryan combining the way he did with Mesut [Ozil], who also impressed me. It's good to see him getting into those positions and finishing the way he did."

Mkhitaryan is ineligible to play for Arsene Wenger's team in the EFL Cup final on Sunday, due to his participation in the competition with the Red Devils earlier this season.