Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has urged Unai Emery to sell midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan before the end of the European summer window.
The 30-year-old was handed a start by the Spaniard in the Gunners’ Premier League curtain-raiser against Newcastle, but was replaced by new signing Gabriel Martinelli in the closing stages after a disappointing first outing.
And talking to Sportingbet, cited by the Mirror, Winterburn called for the Gunners to part ways with the former Manchester United man in the coming weeks.
Arsenal should look to sell Mkhitaryan to a European team this transfer window.
When everyone is back fit for Arsenal, Mkhitaryan is going to struggle to get any game time at all during the season.
Mkhitaryan looks a frustrated figure, nothing seems to be working out for him on the pitch – his passes are misplaced, his shooting is off and he can’t beat his man.
His performance against Newcastle on the opening game of the season wasn’t good enough, especially when you’re playing at the highest level.
No doubt, Mkhitaryan is a talented player but he’s going to struggle to hold down a regular position when everybody’s fit.
And these Arsenal fans have also taken to social media recently to call for the Armenia international to be dropped from the side to face Burnley, leaving Reiss Nelson likely to make another Gunners appearance from the start.
Twitter: @jamesbenge Mkhitaryan is so poor. Reiss all day! (@Geyzen)
Twitter: @jamesbenge This shouldn’t even be a question, Mhki was terrible last game, to award him a start after his performa… https://t.co/lH2mrHA61H (@Interwesting)
Twitter: @jamesbenge Nelson all the way. Pepe on the RW, Nelson on the LW. Mkhi is free to leave IMO after a poor display against Newcastle. (@markham02)
Twitter: @jamesbenge Easy decision. Nelson. At home. Give the kid a chance. Miki has had many. Time for a change. (@ViktheViking1)
Read Arsenal verdict
It’s hard to argue with both Winterburn and the Arsenal supporters. It appears that Mkhitaryan’s time at the Emirates is up, and the Gunners will do well to receive an eight-figure fee to take the player off their hands.
However, after getting the nod in the first game of the season, Emery could still look to keep the attacking midfielder around the squad.
It’ll be interesting to see where Mkhitaryan is plying his trade come next month, but it looks as if the majority of Gunners supporters, and even an Arsenal legend, are hoping that it is not in North London.
