Age: 29 years
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Nationality: Armenian
To: Arsenal
From: Manchester United
Transfer: Swap Deal
Arsenal have announced the signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan on a long-term contract. The player has moved to the North London side in exchange for Alexis Sanchez who has completed his move to Man United.
The Armenian midfielder has found it difficult to nail a permanent place in Jose Mourinho's starting XI this season and has been the key to Alexis Sanchez moving to his now former side.
Career Statistics
Appearances: 365
Appearances: 365
Goals: 125
Assists: 94
Mkhitaryan has a phenomenal record in front of goal in club competitions. Across 5 clubs, scoring 125 goals and almost a century of assists justifies his abilities.
Prior to his move to England, it was at Shakhtar Donetsk & Borussia Dortmund where his career started picking up.
At Dortmund, he registered more assists than goals, especially in the 2015-16 season, scoring 23 and creating a further 32 goals.
At Dortmund, he registered more assists than goals, especially in the 2015-16 season, scoring 23 and creating a further 32 goals.
Manchester United
Appearances: 63
Appearances: 63
Goals: 13
Assists: 11
In an 18-month spell, 63 appearances is pretty decent for a player of Mkhitaryan's caliber. Mkhitaryan's presence helped United win the EFL Cup and the Europa League last season.
Premier League
Appearances: 39
Goals: 5
Assists: 6
It is in the Premier League where Mkhitaryan has struggled to find game-time with a poor goal and assist return for a No.10, something which has largely happened this season.
2017-18 Season
Appearances: 15
Goals: 1
Assists: 5
Mkhitaryan stormed into the beginning of the PL season, registering 5 assists and scoring once in his first five games. But, since then his performances have deteriorated and his work-rate had been questioned by Mourinho, making just 10 appearances in the 19 games that followed.
Since his arrival in Manchester, Mkhitaryan didn't look comfortable playing for the club but at Arsenal it could be a different scenario. He suits the way Arsenal play as a team and manager Arsene Wenger will give him opportunities to show his talents.
Mkhitaryan is cup-tied in the EFL Cup this season, a competition Arsenal feature in this week, the semi-final 2nd leg against Chelsea.
But, he is available for the Europa League, a competition he won last season and his team are favorites to win it this season. Mkhitaryan scored in the final last season, which took his tally to 6 goals in the competition.
Arsenal are also hopeful to bring in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before the window closes, a player Mkhitaryan has combined phenomenally back in his Borussia Dortmund days.
If Mkhitaryan is able to regain his once glorious form in front of goal and work on his ball retention ability, he could establish himself as Arsenal's key player this season.
No comments:
Post a Comment