Mkhitaryan Sends Message To Arteta Over Arsenal Return

Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits his preference is to stay at Roma but says he will ‘not complain’ if Mikel Arteta decides to keep him at Arsenal.

 The 31-year-old has spent the season on loan in Serie A and reports have claimed that Roma are already in talks with the Gunners over extending the midfielder’s deal. 

However, Arteta has suggested that Mkhitaryan could have a future at Arsenal by claiming in March that he had ‘always liked’ the Armenia international. ‘He is the kind of player who can fit in any team when he is at his best,’ said the Arsenal manager.

‘He needs to do it consistently and here he had moments and that’s what we need to assess. ‘Miki is doing really well in recent games. We know the player he’s been, we know his past, and we need to have all the information to make the right decision.’ Henrikh Mkhitaryan has scored six goals and registered four assists for Roma this season (Getty) 

But when asked about his future, Mkhitaryan says he would be prepared to challenge for a place in Arteta’s side next term. ‘Of course I would like to be at Roma next season, not only next season [but] for another few years,’ Mkhitaryan said in an interview on Futbol with Grant Wahl. ‘But I still have a contract with Arsenal and it’s not up to me. It’s up to Arsenal and Roma if they will agree terms of the transfer fee. ‘So my thinking is to train hard, to play hard, to look forward to what’s going to happen.

‘Of course, if I’m not going to stay at Roma I have to go back to Arsenal. ‘I’m not complaining, football life changes so quickly so you have to be ready to play wherever you are. ‘If not in Rome, I’m going to go back and play for Arsenal, if not, I’m going to stay here and play for Rome.’