What Mkhitaryan brings is "essential" for Arsenal, says Arsene Wenger

Posted Tuesday, February 06, 2018 by squawka.com

What Mkhitaryan brings is

Arsene Wenger described new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan as "essential" to his Arsenal side after he registered three assists in his second game for the Gunners against Everton.

The Armenian international arrived at the Emirates in the January transfer window as part of a swap deal that included Alexis Sanchez heading the opposite way to Manchester United.

The 29-year-old played a crucial part in providing creativity and flair for his Arsenal teammates, creating three assists to thump Everton 5-1.

There were worries that Arsenal would struggle to cope without Alexis Sanchez – the club's top-scorer and easily their best player for the first half of the season – but with bringing in both Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Gunners have found a two-fold solution to the Chilean's goals as well as playmaking creativity.

In the game, Aaron Ramsey bagged his first hat-trick of the season and scored his first goals after missing seven out of the last 10 Premier League fixtures due to a hamstring injury.

"They [Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang] are essential," Wenger told the Arsenal website.

"Because football is one who gives the ball to one who finishes. If you have only one of the two, then you never score. So to create these types of partnerships is essential.

"The assists from Mkhitaryan were great today and Ramsey having a hat-trick is absolutely exceptional and good for him, for his confidence. He looked more composed and calmer in his finishing and that's great."

What Mkhitaryan brings is
Aubameyang was on the scoresheet as Arsenal larruped Everton

Mkhitaryan also teed up Aubameyang for the Gunners' fourth goal against the Toffees. The two had played together during their time at Borussia Dortmund, and it looks like a partnership that will flourish once again at the Emirates.

"It was the game like we want to play it," Wenger continued.

"Fluent, pacy, technical quality, agile movement, very mobile and good finishing. Overall, I believe we all enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it didn't last for 90 minutes but I think it is still a convincing, terrific performance."

Arsenal's win over Everton takes them up to sixth place in the Premier League, and will face fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday to contest the north London derby.