"You’re already at Arsenal" - Arteta transfer target mocked over links to the Emirates

Ukrainian wonderkid Mykhaylo Mudryk is being teased for reports linking the winger to Arsenal, according to his teammate Anatoly Trubin.

Shakhtar Donetsk's Mudryk has been a sensation this season. The 21-year-old has already netted seven times and provided a further seven assists for his teammates in 12 appearances.

His performances, notably against Europe’s best in the Champions League, have attracted the attention of some of the biggest teams on the continent.

While stories are produced daily speculating where Mudryk’s future may lie, his teammates are not letting the talk get to the 21-year-old’s head.

Shakhtar goalkeeper Trubin told Football 24: “I like that he is focused only on himself, his and the team’s game.

“Fans don’t really see that much. No one sees what he is doing away from the football field.

“All these transfer rumours affect him only in a positive way because he enjoys what he does.

“And, in the team, we can tell him; ‘well, you’re already at Arsenal, let’s all go!’”

Indeed, Carlo Nicolini, Shakhtar’s deputy vice chairman, confirmed to Calciomercato in October that Arsenal and Manchester City were two teams interested in the services of the Ukrainian.

Nicolini added that Shakhtar now value Mudryk over the £85 million fee Manchester United paid for Antony over the summer.

The Shakhtar vice chairman said: “Is 40 million euros enough to buy him? We do not answer to these figures. Not even for fifty.

“We value Mudryk more than Manchester United’s Antony, who cost 100 million euros (£85 million).”

Meanwhile, Mudryk admitted that he would be open to making the switch to north London and singled Mikel Arteta’s side out for playing “great football”.

The winger told Sports Arena: “I think that many young football players dream of getting to the top level. I’m no exception.

“Of course, if there is an opportunity, I want (to play in) matches in the top championships. Bayern Munich are playing very powerfully and strongly. Manchester City always play great football.

“But I have great admiration for the style of Arsenal; a talented coach, young, individually strong players who play good and modern football.”

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine, Arsenal, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Mikel Arteta

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.