Chief Arsenal scout Steve Rowley has advised Arsene Wenger to once again look at Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, according to reports.
Rowley believes the 22-year-old Armenian international could perhaps be the player to fill the midfield hole left by former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
Since his £5.4 million move from Metalurg to city rivals Shakhtar in summer 2010, Mkhitaryan has managed to become of the best players in the Ukrainian domestic league, and is viewed by many as a hot prospect in the European football scene.
Known as ‘The Maestro of Armenian Football’, the young midfielder would certainly add something to the Arsenal team, if Wenger decides to listen to Rowley’s advice.
Despite the £10 million capture of Mikel Arteta on deadline day, many (including myself) still believe Arsenal lack creativity in their midfield.
It is believed the north London club were looking at Mkhitaryan after Fabregas left for Barcelona in the summer and will heed Rowley’s advice of tracking him once again during the winter.
It is understood Shakhtar would probably command a fee of around £8 million if the Armenian was put on the market.
Could Mkhitaryan be the player to replace Fabregas and add some much needed creativity to our midfield? Possibly, he would certainly be considered a Wenger-ish buy by the Arsenal faithful, one who oozes class but wouldn’t command such a big fee.
Henrikh possesses great ball control, skill, agility, as well as superb vision and awareness. He may not bag a lot of goals, but he does have the ability to create them.
The Armenian certainly looks a bright prospect, and I for one believe Wenger should definitely take another look at him before ruling out a potential move for the young midfield maestro.
