Henrikh Mkhitaryan has joined AS Roma on a season-long loan from Arsenal, the North London club have confirmed.
The Armenian has struggled to make an impact at the Emirates Stadium since joining from Manchester United in an exchange deal with Alexis Sanchez in January 2018.
Mkhitaryan started Arsenal’s 1-0 win away to Newcastle United in their first game of this season but has only made two late substitute appearances since. He only made 19 starts in the Premier League last season.
Gunners boss Unai Emery signed Nicolas Pepe for a club record fee earlier this season to use the Ivorian international down the right wing. The Spanish manager has also handed youngsters Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock opportunities in midfield, whilst Mesut Ozil has yet to make an appearance so far this season.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is his country’s all-time top goalscorer but has struggled badly in the Premier League after initially moving to Manchester United in 2016. He had previously been a standout player at Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga.
AS Roma have started the new Italian Serie A season with back-to-back score draws but Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be competing in the Europa League from the Group Stage, drawn alongside Borussia Monchengladbach, Istanbul Basaksehir and Wolfsberger AC.
Paulo Fonseca’s side already have a vast number of talented midfielders in their squad, including Javier Pastore, Alessandro Florenzi, Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini. Roma have also completed the signing of signing of Chris Smalling on loan from Manchester United today.
