Henrikh Mkhitaryan is proving Arsenal got the better end of the Alexis Sanchez swap deal, scoring more league goals this week than the Manchester United forward has this season.

Arsenal's Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan (L) celebrates with Arsenal's Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP / Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan (L) celebrates with Arsenal’s Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP / Getty Images)

In Mkhitaryan’s last two games for Arsenal, he’s scored two goals and provided three assists. That’s a greater tally than Sanchez’s Premier League season total of one goal and three assists in 16 appearances.

It’s difficult to think of a player Manchester United have signed who has performed more poorly against expectations when they joined the club. Sanchez was considered a world-class forward who could light up the league when he transferred to United, but he’s still yet to hit double figures in goals or assists 14 months later, in all competitions.

Earlier this season, United fans consoled themselves by highlighting that Mkhitaryan wasn’t performing much better. From September to December, admittedly the Armenian international did go on a poor run of form.

At the time, it looked like there were no winners from that January 2018 swap deal. However, Mkhitaryan has since started to show what fans have been hoping for.

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Herikh Mkhitaryan of Arsenal during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and West Ham at Meadow Park on February 04, 2019 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 04: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Arsenal during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and West Ham at Meadow Park on February 04, 2019, in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

In his last seven games in all competitions, the winger has four goals and three assists, and his performances all around have been impressive. He works hard, he links up with teammates well and he’s found the final ball that he missed throughout that period earlier in the season.

The key thing is that Mkhitaryan keeps it going now. It’s all well and good having a positive burst of form, and it’s already more than Sanchez has shown at any stage of his United career for well under half the wages. Still, he can’t sit back and revert to his mid-season form. The 30-year-old has to push on and keep playing like he is now.