Arsenal: Henrikh Mkhitaryan brings far more than just creativity

Henrikh Mkhitaryan enjoyed a wonderful home debut in Arsenal’s win over Everton, assisting three goals. But he brings far more to the table than just creativity.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan made his home debut on Saturday evening. It was a successful outing. Playing in a wonderfully free-roaming attacking midfield role behind the lone striker, the Armenian was afforded the license to flourish that previous manager Jose Mourinho was never willing to give him. It was Arsenal who reaped the rewards.

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It took just six minutes for the Gunners to thrust open the floodgates. It was Mkhitaryan who was at the heart of it.

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As he glided his way across the face of the penalty area, searching out the pocket of space that he was so desperate to exploit, he floated all the way from his starting position on the left flank to the inside-right channel in the penalty area. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found him with a nice round-the-corner flick, and then it was up to Mkhitaryan to deliver.

Rather than carefully slide a pass into a precise position, trying to pick out a particular player or space, Mkhitaryan chose to do something that Arsenal players rarely do: he kicked the ball as hard, low, and accurately as he could, not especially concerned with its direction. For Mkhitaryan, it was about thrashing a cross into the six-yard area that caused confusion and chaos. It did. Eliquiam Mangala failed to combobulate his feet, and Aaron Ramsey was the grateful recipient behind him, directing his shot into the empty net. 1-0.

Mkhitaryan would proceed to record another two assists. Both were equally, though in very different ways, as enlightening as to the intelligence, the vision, the creativity, and then the quality of his game. But it was not actually his attacking output, however nice it was to see, that was the most pleasing aspect of his performance.

Arsene Wenger, for example, in his post-match press conference after the game, praised Mkhitaryan’s understanding with his new teammates, heralded his link-up ability, but also highlighted his work ethic: ‘he works very hard as well, you know.’

And the stats from his performance bear that out: 11.45 Km covered; 10 tackles attempted, winning four of them (no other Arsenal player attempted more than five; three interceptions made, the equal-most on the team with Aaron Ramsey. Perhaps more than his three chances created, three assists and 78% pass completion rate, it was his defensive numbers that were all the more impressive and exciting.

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He is not just another flowery, passive midfielder who only wants the ball and is never willing to work without it. He is committed, diligent and industrious. He covers the ground, makes tackles, presses his opponents, tracks back and works hard. He is far more than the creativity that he brings. That is what makes him such an appealing addition.