Henrikh Mkhitaryan Reveals Truth Behind His And Alexis Sanchez's Moves

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has slammed suggestions that his move to Arsenal in January was merely to supplement Alexis Sanchez's transfer to Manchester United.

There is the belief that the Armenian's move to the Emirates Stadium was part of a swap deal - but Mkhitaryan has now denied this.

Sanchez was seemingly itching for a move away from Arsenal, in order to win major trophies as he entered the latter stage of his career, while Mkhitaryan wasn't receiving the game-time he wanted under Jose Mourinho in the north-west. A move for both made sense.

But now Mkhitarayan has refuted the claim that his move had anything to do with Sanchez.

The 29-year-old said to FourFourTwo: "When I heard I could swap Manchester United for Arsenal, I said 'yes I want to do that".

"I wasn't even thinking twice or thinking that maybe I don't have to go. I said 'no I want to go. I want to have more playing time. I want to enjoy playing attacking, offensive football".

'I didn't' come here to replace anyone. Everyone keeps saying that I've been part of a deal for Alexis Sanchez but it's not true because he was running down his contract. 'If he didn't choose to come to Manchester United, he would have stayed at Arsenal until the summer.

'I came to Arsenal because Arsene Wenger wanted me. It's not because he wanted to replace me.

This has certainly come as quite a revelation to most. Chile international Sanchez is considered world class but his relationship with the Gunner supporters had soured towards the end and this reflected in his performances. News about him wanting to move to Man City didn't help. A move away seemed inevitable.

More recently, Mkhitaryan scored against his former club in Arsenal's 2-1 loss to Manchester United ago. Despite only playing a handful of games for Man United he didn't celebrate.

Sanchez, meanwhile, has taken time in finding form at his new side. He scored a crucial goal in Manchester United's F.A Cup semi-final victory over Tottenham Hotspur, but Man United are generally expecting a bit more from the attacker.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Football, Arsenal, Man United

Jacque Talbot

Jacque Talbot is a journalist and sports writer at SPORTbible. He graduated from Manchester Metropolitan with a BA in English and Film. He is a football, snooker, and basketball enthusiast and has been published in the Daily Mail, The Guardian, The Set Pieces, Planet Football and the Morning Star. He’s the greatest thing to come out of Essex since Nick Frost.

@Jac_Talbot