Henrikh Mkhitaryan claims he does not have anything to prove at Arsenal after failing to make the grade at Manchester United.
Mkhitaryan, who moved to the Emirates Stadium in a swap deal that saw Alexis Sanchez head to Manchester United, enjoyed a dream Premier League debut for the Gunners, recording three assists in a 5-1 demolition of Everton.
The Armenia international had fallen out of favour under Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford, aiming a dig at the Portuguese on his departure by saying he was looking forward to playing “attacking football” at Arsenal.
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Against Everton, Mkhitaryan combined to good effect with fellow January arrival Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a former Borussia Dortmund team-mate, and the duo will take on Tottenham in Saturday’s north London derby.
Mkhitaryan, who scored five Premier League goals in his two seasons working with Mourinho, is pleased to leave a miserable period at United behind him.
“I don’t want to find excuses,” Mkhitaryan told reporters ahead of the derby.
{{/usCountry}}“I don’t want to find excuses,” Mkhitaryan told reporters ahead of the derby.
{{/usCountry}}“I don’t want to blame anyone but I am happy that this [half of the] season passed already. I am starting a new chapter in my life, in my football career and I am very happy to be here.
“I will be pleased to achieve more than I have done in Manchester, of course. I don’t have anything to prove to anyone. I just have to enjoy myself, do my best and at the end I will see where I can reach.”
Arsene Wenger’s plan to pair Mkhitaryan with Aubameyang may marginalise previous record signing Alexandre Lacazette, who was an unused substitute against Everton after the Gabon striker’s £56million arrival.
But Mkhitaryan is excited to link up with Aubameyang again, the pair having thrilled in their time together at Dortmund.
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“I won’t mention all the details because it is not fair but yes, when I signed for Arsenal, I was in touch with him saying ‘so, the first step is done, now we are waiting for the second one’,” Mkhitaryan added.
“I think it could only be in a dream that we could join another club other than Dortmund but I am very happy for that. I have known him very well, he is one of my best friends and the best team-mate I have ever had.
“I am very happy to have him here and I think all the fans are happy to see him in an Arsenal shirt. What can I say? I love playing with him. I can understand him from step one and hopefully for the next games we are going to achieve more.
“I have read a lot about the derby, about playing against Tottenham and it is not the first time I have seen or heard that because I have been in the Premier League for quite a long time so I know the importance of the game. I know the importance of the derby and I am ready for it.”