Edin Dzeko says Henrikh Mkhitaryan is a great signing for AS Roma, and the striker hopes the Arsenal loanee will stay with them long-term.

Mkhitaryan completed a move to AS Roma on the European transfer deadline day, joining on loan for the year. Typically, the Arsenal loanee found his shooting boots the second he left North London, scoring two in two games for Armenia over the international break before scoring on his debut for Roma.

It’s no surprise to hear his new teammates pleased with the acquisition at this stage, with former City striker Dzeko insisting the 30-year-old is going to improve them this season.

“He is a great player, I am 100% sure he will help us,” Dzeko said. “I also remember him at Borussia Dortmund, I was happy with this purchase. You will see that we play good football here and he also scored a goal immediately.

“I hope he can make more goals and assists for us and I hope he can stay a long time.”

Dzeko wasn’t the only one to praise the signing, with Justin Kluivert also happy to see Roma adding players from top clubs around Europe.

“It is important to have players like Mkhitaryan and Smalling, who have played with teams like Manchester and Arsenal,” Kluivert said. “They have experience and it is good to have them next to young people like me.”

Mkhitaryan only managed nine goals and 13 assists in 59 appearances with Arsenal, after putting up similar numbers with Manchester United. It’s fair to say he struggled in the Premier League, but perhaps we’ve seen the first signs he can rediscover his old form in Italy.

Then again, the winger assisted three goals on his full Arsenal debut, so it’s not like he doesn’t have a history with starting fast and dropping off. He needs to keep up his momentum for the whole season this time.