Arsenal: Henrikh Mkhitaryan not the fat that needs trimming

There has been talk of trimming the fat in the Arsenal starting XI, but if you’re looking at Henrikh Mkhitaryan, you’ve got the absolute wrong guy.

Arsenal‘s loss to Manchester City was one that is lost in transition. Yes, it would have been nice for the new-look Gunners to come out and beat up the reigning champs, but with their identity still developing and so much left undone, it’s a loss that should be seen, perhaps moaned over for a day or two, and left behind.

Still, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some takeaways from the match that can be applied immediately. Changes can and should be in the works as Unai Emery sets his eyes on finding the perfect combination to compete as soon as possible.

As such, there is talk of trimming the fat. Emery himself said that his players were not energetic enough against City, that they failed to keep the pace that was necessary to hang with such a difficult foe.

This has people assuming that changes are indeed coming in a bit of what we like to call “fat trimming,” or, getting the right guys out there, the muscle, and getting the wrong guys out, the fat.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

The name Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been tossed into the mix. Mkhitaryan, like so many others, was ineffective against City, struggling to create much of anything that could be construed as a clear chance. That being the case, it makes sense that his name is tossed out there as a candidate, but if you want to categorize him as part of ‘the fat,’ then you’re looking at the wrong guy.

Mkhitaryan fits Emery’s play style, he just needs better opportunities to assert himself on the match. You may have noticed both he and Ozil were ineffective, but in a high-octane attack like the Gunners are prepared to have, Mkhitaryan fits the billing better than most. And yes, better too than Ozil.

Mkhitaryan does not need to be cut from the XI. He needs to be cultivated in it. He is just as efficient at individual inspiration as he is at linking up play and he is far quicker with his decision maker than the other options that we have available.

Stick with the Armenian. It may be tough though, because Alexandre Lacazette needs to find his way into the starting XI too. Maybe we can sneak on a 12th guy, just to see what happens.