Arsenal: Overpaying necessary with Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is overpaid. And yet, the Arsenal may be wise to overpay him next season, given their need for creative, goalscoring wingers.

Arsenal were desperate to sell Alexis Sanchez for whatever they could get. The Chilean was a disruptive presence in the dressing room, had just six months remaining on his contract, and was seen as an asset who could still be traded for something valuable. That something valuable, in the end, would become Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

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Because of the calamitous situation the Gunners found themselves in, however, Mkhitaryan held them to ransom over a new deal, reportedly cautious to make the switch from Manchester United in a straight swap for the Chilean. As such, the Armenian eventually agreed to a deal worth more than £200,000-a-week. He was not worth it then. He has not proven otherwise since.

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Since returning from a foot injury in February, Mkhitaryan has been excellent. Seemingly possessing a greater sharpness and explosive speed in the final third, he rediscovered his creative and goalscoring exploits that made him such a tantalising prospect at Borussia Dortmund. But even given his recent excellent form, he is still not worth the wage that Arsenal are shelling out for his services.

That is not to slate Mkhitaryan. It is more a consequence of his wage, not his play. £200,000-a-week demands a world-class, game-winning, league-leading talent. Mkhitaryan is a good player enjoying some great form. But he is far from what his wages require to be fulfilled. And yet, as Unai Emery and Raul Sanllehi continue to reshape the squad this summer, they might well be best served by overpaying Mkhitaryan.

If there is one thing that the attacker has proven this season, it is that he can be productive from wide positions. Conversely, if there is anything that this Arsenal squad has proven this season, it is that they desperately need more production from the wings. It does not take much to put two and two together.

Obviously, Mkhitaryan has been a part of that problem. While he and Alex Iwobi have served dutifully, playing in positions that they would admit are not their favourites, neither have been of the elite standard that a title-challenging team requires. But that does not mean that they are without utility, especially Mkhitaryan who has 12 goals and assists in Premier League and Europa League action this season.

That kind of production is invaluable, even if it is dwarfed by the impact that Raheem Sterling or Saido Mane or Eden Hazard have on their respective teams. Mkhitaryan should not be the starter next season, but that does not mean that he has no value. In fact, he has a whole lot of value, just not £200,000-a-week worth.

Mkhitaryan is not a bad player. Neither is he a great player. And he is paid like a great one. That is a problem for Arsenal, but it is not one that they can afford to solve this summer. For now, at least, overpaying Mkhitaryan is the wise move.