Arsenal: One key thing to remember with Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Arsenal has now reportedly turned away two bids from Roma for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and I just want to make sure we’re clear about one thing.

Arsenal have a lot of offloading to do this summer. Or fall, or whenever it comes. Not only do they have some players still at the club that need to be sold off, but they also have some guys on loan that need to find permanent deals. The most obvious of which is Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who has spent a relatively successful year in Serie A with Roma.

According to recent rumors, Mkhitaryan has been the subject of two bids from Roma on his behalf, both of which were turned away by the Gunners. The first bid was said to be in the region of £10m, with Arsenal holding out for something closer to £18m.

Even that £18m is below his market value of £23m. Though it might be unrealistic to expect that much, despite how much he is producing for the Italian club.

According to that same report, Roma are also actively pursuing former Barcelona man Pedro. They feel they can get him for cheaper and see him as a good alternative to Mkhitaryan.

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

There is just one thing that Arsenal needs to remember and that is that you cannot under any circumstances begin next year with Henrikh Mkhitaryan still on the roster. Sure, £10m is a sucky bid, and Roma knows it is a sucky bid.

But chances are Roma also knows how much the Gunners will want to get rid of the Armenian. Mkhitaryan has been outspoken and critical of his parent club and it’s plain to see why. He failed right alongside Mesut Ozil during his time at the Emirates and that makes him a clear and obvious must-sell.

He’s also on a good amount of wages that need to be freed up in order to allow for new flexibility to sign key players like, oh I don’t know, Bukayo Saka. I don’t care if Mkhitaryan has to go for free if it means that his wages will be freed up to allow for someone more important and more valuable to stay at the Emirates.

That’s the thing here. We can play hardball all we want, and at least for a little bit, we should. But at the end of the day, do not get stuck with him at the club. You have to get rid of him.