Examining How Henrik Mkhitaryan Might Fit into the Arsenal Squad

The season may still have a couple of months to run, but already there is significant speculation about Arsenal’s summer transfer activity. Perhaps that’s because most onlookers have accepted the Gunners’ chances of landing the Premier League title are slim at best.

If they want to end their long wait for a league title, they will surely have to strengthen before next season.

The latest name to be cited as being on Arsene Wenger’s shopping list is Borussia Dortmund midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

David Hytner and Fabrizio Romano of the Guardian wrote:

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Henrikh Mkhitaryan is a summer transfer target for Arsenal. They have sent scouts to watch the Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder and have further monitored his progress via video clips.

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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. 

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Arsenal have a nose for a bargain, and perhaps they sense one will be in the offing in the case of Mkhitaryan. His current contract with Dortmund expires in 2017, meaning he will have just 12 months to run come the summer. That could enable any potential buyers to acquire him at a knockdown price.

CHRISTOF STACHE/Getty Images

Mkhitaryan is already in talks with Dortmund about an extension, so it’s possible these transfer links are just a ploy in a lengthy negotiation process. However, Arsenal’s interest is highly plausible: The Armenia international has been one of the standout players in this season’s Bundesliga.

According to Squawka, his 25 league appearances have seen him create 65 goalscoring opportunities for his team-mates. At Arsenal, only the magisterial Mesut Ozil can better that tally. Ten of those chances have been converted to assists—Mkhitaryan is one of the most prolific suppliers of goals on the continent.

However, this season he’s also added a goalscoring touch to his game. He has recorded 15 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions. Mkhitaryan is developing into the complete attacking midfielder.

When looking at how he might fit into the Arsenal team, there are a mouthwatering array of options. He’s an incredibly versatile player who can operate from either flank or as a conventional No. 10. Wenger’s preferred option would surely be to implement Mkhitaryan into the three players who operate behind his centre-forward. 

For much of the last 18 months or so, Wenger has been forced to play Aaron Ramsey from the right wing. Mkhitaryan would be a much better fit, drifting infield to combine with Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. Whoever played up top would surely have a field day with that gifted trio operating behind them.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

The one concern for Arsenal fans will be Mkhitaryan’s similarities to Ozil. Both players are happiest operating in a free role behind the striker.

With Germany legend Lothar Matthaus telling Yahoo Sports (h/t Metro) Ozil would be an ideal fit for Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League conquerors, Barcelona, Gunners supporters will be praying Mkhitaryan is not being looked at as a potential replacement. 

The evidence of this season suggests Mkhitaryan has the tools to be Ozil’s successor as Arsenal’s No. 10. However, the Gunners will be a far stronger outfit if they can get the two men to play in tandem.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.