Ian Wright has claimed Arsenal are “carrying” Henrikh Mkhitaryan and called for him to be axed against Tottenham on Sunday.
The Gunners legend insisted to the Times the attacking midfielder is “trying to find form” and must be replaced by Mesut Ozil for the Emirates Stadium showdown this weekend.
“He is our best player, you want him enthused,” Wright said of the German. “Arsenal can’t afford to have a player of that calibre on the bench as Henrikh Mkhitaryan is trying to find form. That is too much for Arsenal to carry.”
OPINION
Mkhitaryan’s contribution has certainly been mixed this season and eyebrows were raised when he got the nod to start last weekend’s win against Bournemouth ahead of the likes of big-name stars Ozil and Aaron Ramsey. The Armenia international played the full 90 minutes of that match in an attacking midfield role behind spearhead Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It paid dividends only to an extent, as Mkhitaryan has not scored or created as many goals this season, or since joining Arsenal in January, as a player of his calibre and undoubted technical gift should. Just two goals and three assists from 15 matches in all competitions is pretty thin gruel, and has certainly not ensured his starting place in the north London derby. Ozil has a poor big-match record at Arsenal, but the fact is the Tottenham defenders and players would rather face Mkhitaryan this weekend. That should make up Unai Emery’s mind on who to start.