Henrikh Mkhitaryan has scored as many goals in his last three games as Willian has managed in his previous 23.
But while the 32-year-old Brazilian is making a mockery of Arsenal’s decision to hand him a £220,000-a-week contract until 2023, performing like a fading shadow of the man who ripped full-backs apart during his time in Chelsea blue, Mkhitaryan’s stellar form serves only to twist the knife in an already painful wound.
The Armenia international was released by Arsenal in August after an underwhelming spell at the Emirates.
But, since swapping London for Roma, Mkhitaryan has arguably performed even better than he did during that dazzling final season at Borussia Dortmund. When you consider the quicksilver winger was named the Bundesliga’s Player of the Year in 2016/17, that is some statement.
“He’s a very intelligent player,” Roma coach Paulo Fonseca told Sport1 after Mkhitaryan’s brace in a 3-0 win against Parma lifted the Giallorossi to third in the Serie A table.
“He can play in different positions and his attitude is exemplary. I’m not surprised at what he’s doing.”
Fonseca isn’t surprised but Arsenal fans might be.
Mkhitaryan hit the target just nine times in 58 matches at Arsenal, after all.
But a man who became accustomed to squandering opportunities in the Emirates suddenly can’t stop scoring in Italy.
Mkhitaryan has six goals in just three matches, following up a hat-trick against Genoa with a genuine Goal of the Season contender on Sunday. A searing 25-yard volley was the sort of bolt-from-the-blue moment no player in Mikel Arteta’s squad has looked capable of during a miserable eight-hour run in which Arsenal have failed to score from open play.
According to Tuttosport and Calciomercato, Roma are now planning to reward Mkhitaryan with a new, long-term deal worth £8 million over three years. He will even be gifted a £1.8 million signing-on-fee – and that is still a lot less than Willlian is earning in North London.
While Arsenal couldn’t wait to cancel Mkhitryan’s contract, Roma are desperate to hand him a new one.
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