Arsenal: Let’s not go overboard on Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Arsene Wenger was asked about the stirling form of Henrikh Mkhitaryan since his January signing on Wednesday. Let’s not go overboard, however, on the Arsenal man’s performances.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has now scored in two successive games. Add to that his five assists, and it’s clear to see, at least from first glance, that his early time at Arsenal is going well. And anyone would be wrong to say otherwise.

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But there is also a need to be cautious and grounded in our assessments of the former Manchester United midfielder. He’s been perfectly fine, but has he been anything more?

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Well, some journalists may think so, as may Arsene Wenger. Speaking before the second leg against AC Milan in the last-16 Europa League tie, Wenger was asked about the brilliant start that Mkhitaryan has made to life in North London. This is what he had to say:

"“Yes he integrated very quickly. I think it’s the way we want to play that suits him naturally. He has been well accepted and made a good adaptation. Players of his calibre, it helps he has been abroad before so he knows how to behave. I am never surprised when players do well. It’s what I expect of them.”"

Now, I do not disagree that he has ‘integrated quickly’ and that things are certainly progressing nicely, but let’s be careful with how much we, as the media, the fans, and even the manager, are hyping up his performances. Let’s provide a little context and assess them accurately and reasonably.

For instance, of his five assists, three came in one game against a thoroughly hapless Everton. One of those goals should have been ruled out for offside. Another came against FK Ostersunds, a team that could be likened to a Conference standard in England. Not exactly the most stifling of competition.

Additionally, in two matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in the Premier League, he was utterly anonymous, particularly the former in which he wasted several good counter-attack opportunities with wayward end-product. He was also disappointing in the second leg against Ostersunds, as well as in the 2-1 loss to Brighton two weeks ago.

Moreover, in Sunday’s win over Watford, in which he scored and assisted a goal, substantially inflating his numbers, he did not actually play that well. He lost possession cheaply time and time again, and the majority of his positive contributions came from his defensive work rate, not his offensive creativity and production.

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Now, I am not saying that Mkhitaryan has been bad. He has been good, perhaps what was expected, showing promising signs that, as he grows into this team, he can develop into a major contributor. But let’s not go overboard. That’s all he’s been. Two goals and five assists cloud the truth a little. Context is always required and, on this occasion, it tempers the Mkhitaryan fever a little.