  We present and analyze a new set of Ward Identities which shed light on the
distinction between different patterns of chiral symmetry restoration in QCD,
namely $O(4)$ vs $O(4)\times U(1)_A$. The degeneracy of chiral partners for all
scalar and pseudoscalar meson nonet members are studied through their
corresponding correlators. Around chiral symmetry degeneration of $O(4)$
partners, our analysis predicts that $U(1)_A$ partners are also degenerated.
Our analysis also leads to $I=1/2$ scalar-pseudoscalar partner degeneration at
exact chiral restoration, and supports ideal mixing between the
$\eta$-$\eta^\prime$ and the $f_0(500)$-$f_0(980)$ mesons at $O(4)\times
U(1)_A$ restoration, with a possible range where the pseudoscalar mixing
vanishes if the two transitions are well separated. We test our results with
lattice data and provide further relevant observables regarding chiral and
$U(1)_A$ restoration for future lattice and model analyses.

High Energy Physics - Phenomenology;High Energy Physics - Lattice;High Energy Physics - Theory;Nuclear Theory