Ian Wright is not entirely convinced by Arsenal potentially signing Manchester United playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Wright reckons that Arsenal potentially signing Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang is only happening because they’ve been forced by Manchester United signing Alexis Sanchez.
The Gunners legend is convinced that it all seems a bit ‘panicky’. “Everything that is happening is being forced on them through other people,” he said on Sky Sports. “Mkhitaryan is not a player Arsenal have been after – he’s a player that Arsenal have been handed.
“It’s the same with Aubameyang – a couple of years ago, he was on everyone’s radar but now he’s gone a bit cold. Then all of a sudden, he’s on Arsenal’s radar – it all feels panicky for me.”
While I get what Wright is saying as Arsenal’s hand has been somewhat forced, I will point out that the Gunners were really close to signing Mkhitaryan in 2016. The playmaker had just racked up 23 goals and 32 assists for Dortmund.
The reason the 28-year-old signed for United was because firstly they offered more money than Arsenal. The Gunners were willing to pay £25m and the Red Devils landed him for £30m. Secondly his agent Mino Raiola preferred United. The Italian’s client list includes Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba.
Therefore, it stands to reason that Arsene Wenger would jump at the chance to sign Mkhitaryan a year-and-a-half later.
As for Aubameyang, he’s already scored 21 goals in 23 appearances this term. The reason clubs aren’t linked with him much anymore, I imagine, is because of his alleged attitude. That’s just speculation on my part.
My point is that just because Arsenal have had to potentially make these signings out of necessity doesn’t mean to say they’re not good enough.