Will Henrikh Mkhitaryan prove his doubters wrong at Arsenal?

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was once considered one of the brightest young talents in the whole of Europe. Great fortunes were predicted of the Armenian international after initially impressing with Shakhtar Donetsk, and subsequently thriving among the German game whilst plying his trade with Dortmund.

 

Operating as a quick-footed attacker with a keen eye for goal, Mkhitaryan would wind up representing none other than Manchester United on the back of a £27 million move. The Old Trafford faithful awaited their highly rated incomer with open arms, whilst the rest of the Premier League sat back in wonder at just how much the Armenian could achieve.

 

Welcome to your new home, @HenrikhMkh 🏟🔴#MKHITAR7AN pic.twitter.com/j4omEssPGH

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 24, 2018

 

Yet after attempting to prove his worth with the Red Devils for just over a season and a half of largely restricted game time, it seems as if the Manchester United hierarchy have already lost patience with this once widely admired frontman.

 

Jose Mourinho has recently landed the services of Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, signalling a rather abrupt end to Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s short-lived spell at the club. Now he joins Arsene Wenger down at the Emirates in place of the outgoing Chilean, in a move that some fans have already sought to heavily discredit.

 

Poor old @HenrikhMkh 😂 pic.twitter.com/oq5Trwqdte

— The Sun Dream Team (@dreamteamfc) January 23, 2018

 

It seems as if Manchester United have arguably benefitted most from this latest January swap deal. Although Mkhitaryan remains a talented player with plenty of top-flight potential, he simply doesn’t compare with the accomplished flamboyancy of Chile’s Alexis Sanchez.

 

The Red Devils are effectively ridding themselves of an inconsistent performer who rarely features among the manager’s first team plans, whilst simultaneously capturing the services of Arsenal’s most highly rated performer.

 

First training with the team👊🏼 @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/63BzDWuOho

— Henrikh Mkhitaryan (@HenrikhMkh) January 23, 2018

 

But whilst it remains to be seen whether or not the 29-year-old midfielder really has what it takes to prove himself in England, perhaps Mkhitaryan is set to fare far better at Arsenal than he ever could have under Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

 

The Armenian arguably has what it takes to slot into the Gunners starting XI perfectly, a notion that could not be considered with such certainty at Manchester United. Alongside the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette, Mkhitaryan could begin to thrive wonderfully with the confidence of his new manager firmly on his side.

 

BREAKING: Henrikh Mkhitaryan has confirmed that the seats at the Emirates aren't as comfy as the ones at Old Trafford, but not having Jose Mourinho flicking cigarette butts at him and saying "are you still here, f*ck-face?" more than makes up for it.

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) January 24, 2018

 

Of course, Alexis Sanchez remains the better player. He arguably offers more to his respective employers out on the pitch, whilst dramatically raising the belief in and around Old Trafford in the wake of the club’s upcoming title charge.

 

But Arsenal fans may change their mind over Mkhitaryan before the January transfer window reaches its natural conclusion. Gunners supporters could soon find themselves laughing should Wenger also acquire the services of Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this winter.

 

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not a bad player, it just didn't work at Manchester United. At times he was brilliant, other times remarkably poor. He's a very good fit for Arsenal. Wish him the best.

— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 22, 2018

 

Aubameyang would prove one massive transfer coup down at the Emirates for sure. The current Dortmund man is one of the best centre-forwards in the business, providing pace, power and goals all across the final third – not to mention some pretty effective link-up play as well for that matter.

 

With his former Borussia Dortmund teammate potentially on board at Arsenal, Mkhitaryan could finally begin to prove his worth in front of all those early doubters who have sought to put him down. The stage is now set for the 29-year-old Armenian. It is now make or break time for Arsenal’s newly acquired midfielder.

 

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