Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Unai Emery's tactics forced me out

The Armenian player joined AS Roma on loan at the start of this season.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan joined Arsenal back in January 2018 as a part of the swap deal which saw Alexis Sanchez join Manchester United.

During his early days at Arsenal, he had Arsene Wenger by his side. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder played well for the Gunners. However, with time, his form dipped when Unai Emery took charge of Arsenal.

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Mkhitaryan has spoken clearly how he likes a manager with attacking philosophy and hence he had a disappointing time under Jose Mourinho in Manchester United and the difficulties from the past returned when Emery joined Arsenal and after several trial and errors, the 30-year old was loaned out to AS Roma.

"He paid more attention to tactics, so my role changed," Mkhitaryan told FourFourTwo. "I was starting as a winger but had to build play with the defensive midfielder."

"It’s why I couldn’t contribute as many goals or assists. I like to play more freely and move wherever there’s space. But you have to do the job that the manager asks."

The Armenia international started his Arsenal career brightly under Wenger as he notched up few assists and even found the back of the net on occasions. But he gradually went down the pecking order with Emery's arrival and hardly had minutes under his belt. So he took the decision of joining Roma on loan where he will be open to more first-team football.

"I couldn't accept that I had to sit on the bench for some matches," Mkhitaryan added. "I know my qualities and what I can do."

"I'm 30 years old now and I like to play football, not just sit on the bench and waste my time."

"Emery and Raul Sanllehi (Head of Football) assured me I was important for Arsenal, but I signed for Roma because they believed me more."

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Mkhitaryan's introduction to Serie A was promising as he stepped up and scored a goal on his debut. Although he suffered a serious injury in his fourth game for the Giallorossi as he tore his abductor muscle keeping him out since September.