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Henrikh Mkhitaryan joins Roma on loan from Arsenal

By David OrnsteinBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section European Footballcomments236

Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has featured in three of Arsenal's four games this season but has only started once

Roma have signed Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan on a season-long loan deal.

The Italian club will pay a loan fee and the 30-year-old's wages, but there is no option or obligation to buy the Armenia international.

Mkhitaryan joined the Gunners from Manchester United in January 2018 in a swap deal involving Chile forward Alexis Sanchez.

He has scored nine goals in 59 appearances for Arsenal.

Mkhitaryan featured as a second-half substitute in Sunday's 2-2 north London derby draw with Tottenham, but has been allowed to join the Italian capital side.

His playing time at Emirates Stadium was likely to be limited this season and Arsenal boss Unai Emery plans to use his departure as a chance to give more minutes to young players.

The Premier League club also remain open to letting defender Shkodran Mustafi go before Monday's transfer deadline - but it looks unlikely the 27-year-old German will leave.

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236 comments

  • Comment posted by Mwild, at 10:36 2 Sep 2019

    The Mkhitaryan/Sanchez deal is one of the worst transfers in history for cost of wages and lack of impact at respective clubs.

  • Comment posted by EtwaseTous, at 09:46 2 Sep 2019

    This makes sense to me as Mhiki hasn't been a smash hit at Arsenal (though he hasn't been as bad as the player that went the other way...)

    What doesn't make sense is why Emery chose to bring on Mhiki in the NLD yesterday with Willock and Ozil sat on the bench if this move was going on behind the scenes!

  • Comment posted by 123, at 09:47 2 Sep 2019

    I think he will do a lot better in Serie A probably, he was excellent at Dortmund before coming to the Premier League so he has the quality I think the PL just didn’t suit him, could end up a good deal for both parties.

  • Comment posted by foscari, at 09:55 2 Sep 2019

    5-Boris- Arsenal have nothing since the Fair's Cup since 1969 ? I am a Spurs
    supporter. I wish we had won so much NOTHING since 1969 !!!!!

  • Comment posted by brian , at 10:27 2 Sep 2019

    Xhaka is another who should go - how on earth he carries on season after season with Arsenal without showing the least sign of skill is beyond me. The only thing he brings to the team that is above average is his foul count.

  • Comment posted by OGG- OrigiGoalGangsta, at 09:54 2 Sep 2019

    I remember when Liverpool wanted to sign this guy... Phew! Huge bullet dodged there - what a flop!

    Just never worked out for him in England, he was hideously inconsistent & no blazing pace to worry defenders either.

    I suppose the positive for Arsenal is they won't need to contribute towards his wages. Either way it's unbelievable to think they got the far better deal out of the Sanchez swap.

  • Comment posted by Roguedfr, at 09:51 2 Sep 2019

    Think this is the right move. Gives opportunities to excellent prospects like Reiss Nelson and Bakary Saka.

  • Comment posted by mike, at 10:21 2 Sep 2019

    somebody pinch me. just need Mustafi to do the same now.

  • Comment posted by whitevanman, at 12:34 2 Sep 2019

    If only they could loan out or even sell the Swiss Vinny Jones..... Xhaka OUT!

  • Comment posted by owl-ARM, at 10:01 2 Sep 2019

    It's quite funny how people are so focused on Ozil's work rate... The fact is, that a player in his position doesn't have to do all the donkey work if he is in a team that isn't tragic at defending! If the CBs where half decent, and they had a decent holding player (imagine swapping Xhaka for Kante), Ozil would be free to be creative! Something he does better than anyone at the club!

  • Comment posted by AGP, at 11:23 2 Sep 2019

    Can't Roma pay Xhaka's wages as well? That tackle on Son was the most brainless thing I've seen an Arsenal player not named Luiz do since ... Xhaka gave away a penalty against Brighton in May which cost Arsenal top four. He must have conceded more penalties than any Premier League midfielder since he's joined.

  • Comment posted by Tom, at 13:15 2 Sep 2019

    Has there been a worse or more pointless bit of business in football than the Mkhitaryan - Sanchez swap deal.

    Awful for both parties involved.

  • Comment posted by U17756598, at 12:32 2 Sep 2019

    Wishing him well. May well flourish in Roma but not quite suited to the PL. Can they take Xhaka as well?

  • Comment posted by jazzbenson, at 12:21 2 Sep 2019

    Arsenal should have sold Sanchez for 60million to Man City. Instead they hung on to him for 3 months and let him go as part exchange for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

    Bad business
    Waste of money

  • Comment posted by Philly the kid, at 09:40 2 Sep 2019

    Thank God!
    Knew we wouldn't win when he came on yesterday. Better off giving the youngsters a chance.

  • Comment posted by Noisy Neighbour, at 11:09 2 Sep 2019

    Unai Emery isn't messing about is he!

  • Comment posted by Vandal, at 12:12 2 Sep 2019

    This is fantastic news. Now please get rid of Xhaka and Mustafi and we'll definitley see improvements in our squad

  • Comment posted by Prez T Presents The Cream, at 10:12 2 Sep 2019

    Take mustafi aswell!!

  • Comment posted by 9ja_scorpion, at 10:04 2 Sep 2019

    There is so much class with the way Arsenal is gradually easing away players they do not require their services.

    Rather than the usual classless way that M United has been going about theirs with their bunch of vindictive ex-players, witch-hunting media and deluded fans.

    Well done Arsenal and best wishes to all the players that have left this season.

  • Comment posted by Baron von Gammon, at 11:04 2 Sep 2019

    Why oh why is Xhaka still around?

    What an absolute liabilty he is.

    Same (non) contribution every week; sloppy passes in dangerous areas and petulant, avoidable bookings.

    Why can't Emery see it?

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