Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Scouting Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Latest Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly scouting Borussia Dortmund's chief playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan ahead of a possible summer bid.

The classy Armenian schemer has been identified as a key target in Gunners manager Arsene Wenger's plan to revamp his squad's midfield and attacking options before next season.

The Guardian's David Hytner and Fabrizio Romano have detailed the extent of Arsenal's interest: "They have sent scouts to watch the Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder and have further monitored his progress via video clips."

Mkhitaryan's current contract expires in 2017, a situation that could work to the Gunners' advantage: "The Armenia international is torn between renewing at Dortmund—for whom he signed in 2013 from Shakhtar for £23.5m—and considering a move to the Emirates Stadium."

The former Shakhtar Donetsk creator-in-chief has actually been on Arsenal's radar for a while, per Hytner and Romano: "Mkhitaryan caught the eye for Dortmund against Arsenal in the Champions League meetings between the clubs in the previous two seasons, and he has been an outstanding performer in Europe and the Bundesliga, particularly this season, when he has scored 20 goals in all competitions."

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Despite that impressive return in front of goal, it's Mkhitaryan's eye for a pass that really makes him a special player. He's assisted 18 goals in all competitions at club level this season, according to ESPN FC.

It's a quality that also makes him such a fascinating target for Wenger's team. The 27-year-old would afford the Frenchman a ton of options in the final third.

His best spot would appear to be on the right side of Arsenal's fluid front three, a problem position all season. Joel Campbell, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey have all struggled in this key role.

But Mkhitaryan often starts matches on that side for Dortmund, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang plays through the middle, and Marco Reus attacks from the left. The Armenia international rarely stays on the flank, though.

Instead, he usually drifts into the middle, hovering in the grey area in front of midfield and behind the central striker. It's the classic position of a No. 10, and where Mkhitaryan does his most damage.

But the No. 10 role belongs to Mesut Ozil in Wenger's current squad. Few managers are as willing to accommodate as many creative players as the former AS Monaco boss, but this could be a case of too many cooks in the kitchen.

Yet Ozil's future in north London appears far from certain. He's been linked with a move to La Liga giants Barcelona, per TalkSport.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Ozil also recently appeared to demand signings from Wenger, as well as question the focus of Arsenal's current team, according to a Press Association report (h/t the Guardian):

"

We ourselves have not been focused in every game and that is not possible in the Premier League since there is no opponent you can beat easily.

We know that it will not be easy and that we need reinforcements if we want next season to be on top here again.

"

Perhaps Wenger is ready to do business for Ozil, a gifted yet generally inconsistent force since signing for a club-record £42.4 million in 2013.

Alternatively, the Gunners boss could be ready to assemble another No. 10-heavy team. That's what he did in 2007 when Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Alexander Hleb populated the midfield in arguably Wenger's best side since helping the club relocate to the Emirates Stadium a decade ago.

PAULO DUARTE/Associated Press

Ozil was part of a similar design two seasons ago when he combined with Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere.

At the time, Wenger endorsed the philosophy by referring to one of football's great teams, per Chris Harris of the club's official website:

"

It is a debate as old as the world. Since we played football. When you look at the Brazil team in 1970 they had Tostao, Rivelino, Pele, Jairzinho, Gerson, Clodoaldo. They played all No 10 in their club. They didn’t know what to do. They put them all together and they won the World Cup in a convincing way.

"

Trying to house so many pass-masters is an ambitious move, but an idea the Arsenal manager would be likely to welcome. Mkhitaryan is a classic Wenger signing, technically assured and blessed with awesome natural flair.

This season's Arsenal team has been surprisingly short on those qualities, evidenced by just 48 Premier League goals. Reshuffling the deck in the final third with a few more cerebral playmakers is the best way for Wenger to ensure his team plays the slick, attractive football he values so highly.

But as Hytner and Romano also noted, Wenger's makeover of his squad won't be limited to the attacking midfield berths. The Frenchman is still on the case of Borussia Monchengladbach's deep-lying playmaker Granit Xhaka.

Then there's FC Lorient left-back Raphael Guerreiro, a versatile 22-year-old Wenger is said to view as a possible replacement for Kieran Gibbs. The England man has been reported to be considering moving on from Arsenal after losing his starting place to Nacho Monreal, according to the Daily Star's Jack Wilson.

But it's the links with Mkhitaryan that really stand out. His talent is undeniable. His exact fit in this Arsenal's squad, along with its implications for some of Wenger's current star players, is less clear.

He'd either be the perfect creative partner for Ozil—an answer to those issues on the right—or a ready-made replacement for the club's record signing.