- Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan throws jibe at Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho after joining Arsenal in January
- The 29-year-old says he was persuaded to join the club because he wanted to play offensive football
- He will be instrumental to the Gunners' performance in their Europa League quarterfinal clash against CSKA Moscow on Thursday, April 5
Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has blasted Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho for his defensive style of play.
The 29-year-old joined the Gunners in a swap deal that saw Alexis Sanchez go the other way during the January transfer window.
Mkhitaryan claimed when he got the chance to make the switch earlier in the year, he couldn’t resist the offer to join the Emirates Stadium outfit.
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The Armenian midfielder wasn’t consistent while playing for the Red Devils during his stay at Old Trafford, and he has seem to have found his groove back at Arsenal - with regular game time and a prominent role in an attack-minded team allowing him to play to his strengths.
“When I heard I could swap Man United for Arsenal, I said, ‘Yes, I want to do that’, I didn’t think twice. It’s important for me to play in an offensive team,” Mkhitaryan told FourFourTwo.
“I couldn’t have imagined a better start. I'd missed playing offensively.”
With Sanchez’s contract expiring this summer, the north London team enquired about Mkhitaryan’s availability, and the player revealed he moved to his new club because the manager showed interest in him.
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He added: “I joined Arsenal because Wenger wanted me, not because he wanted to replace Sanchez.
“We are different players and characters, with different abilities and skills, so I'll try my best to do everything for the club.”
Since his arrival at the Emirates Stadium, Mkhitaryan has settled in well at his new club – ranking 5th on the assist log with 9 assist since he joined Arsenal in January.
He’s also been instrumental in their Europa League campaign, beating AC Milan home and away, and will face CSKA Moscow in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal clash.
Mkhitaryan is determined to help Wenger’s side to get their hands on silverware, with there a desire on his part to etch his name into Arsenal folklore.
He added: “I want to write my name into Arsenal’s history and have my name as a legend here.
“I want to score goals, make assists and win trophies to make the fans happy.”
The classy playmaker has contributed two goals and five assists so far, with there the promise of plenty more to come from a proven performer.
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Source: Naija.ng