Mkhitaryan’s rise in form and what might be causing this. by Nick
Over the past couple games, many players have stood out. Players like Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all have been performing well recently. But the one player out of those 3 that has really impressed me is Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Recently returning from a lengthy injury layoff, Mkhitaryan has been playing intriguingly well. Before his injury, he was nothing close to what he was after it. Sometimes playing sloppy balls, and just overall looking lethargic and uninterested in the game around him. Now it seems like his whole attitude and confidence has been completely rejuvenated as a player.
Since returning he has managed to score 2 goals and assist 3 in only 3 premier league games. But it’s not only his goals and assists that have made him stand out, his overall play has really impressed me. I’ve been watching him close recently, and I’ve noticed his play off the ball is an important aspect of him getting these goal scoring chances. He’s been playing more closely to our strikers which is giving him the opportunity to get the ball to feet and make a pass or a goal scoring opportunity directly.
But what is causing this great run of form from the Armenian? I have a personal theory on it and I feel it’s a reasonable one. In my personal view of watching him play before his injury, leads me to believe that he may have had an injury of some sorts already. Whether it was the foot injury that eventually led him to be sidelined for six weeks, or if it was a different one, it’s not completely unbelievable that he could have had a pre-existing problem.
Another reason that could be giving Mkhitaryan this boost of confidence since returning, is that he’s been given a more advanced and narrow role. Before he was playing rather wide, resulting in a lack of goal scoring and goal creating chances. Now it looks like he plays up the middle rather than the wing, resulting in goals like the 2 we’ve seen from him.
I’ve noticed recently that he’s also been getting into the box more than usual. Before he wouldn’t go too deep into the box. I think now that he’s doing this, it’s giving more opportunities to either score or assist. Whether his assist to Lacazette was intended to be a pass or a shot, his ability to get into the box that fast from a counter attack and find space was excellent play. Same goes with his goal that day. When their goalkeeper made the mistake of giving the ball away, Mkhitaryan was already running to the box to find space, and all Iwobi had to do was dink it to him, leading to a goal.
Wether it was that he had an injury before or if it is a confidence thing, I’m really enjoying watching Henrikh Mkhitaryan play now. His rise in form comes just in time for the big game on Saturday against our North London rivals. If he plays the same way he has been this weekend, he will be a crucial part in securing 3 points, and walking away just one point off third place.
-Nick Carson
…… Bringing in Suarez was the motivation Mhhi needed and not an imaginary injury….He knew deep down that Emery has been forced to play him because he didn’t have another option but now that the coach has one and the summer isn’t far away, he had to up his game else he will be kissing the bench….
….. That’s how top coaches do their thing….
Touche, internal competition brings the best of the players
I always view Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Suarez and Ozil as central attacking players. I hope Arsenal would bring real wingers and stop adding more CAMs
Mkhitaryan was impressive when he dribbled through the middle and assisted Aubameyang, but that was from a quick counter-attack for the fourth goal. I have yet seen his ability to set up an opening goal in a tough match
Top coaches sign players to push other players are to make the team stronger?
Good is not enough since he is signed by Wenger.
He needs to be perfect every game in order to get arsenal fan’s recognition.
Basically Mkhitaryan and Ozil have to be more consistent as what Sanchez did in his peak
But not all 30 years old attacking players can maintain their fitness level and motivation, therefore Arsenal should start the rejuvenation by getting younger and hungrier players
a mixture of experience and young players
Who do you think is perfect now, who is perfect in every games? Just name it.
He had a really poor game on the day when Niles was very sloppy in his passing, since then I have been impressed. He’s working harder, getting into opponents faces more as has the entire outfield for a number of games now. The day that he was poor he gave Niles no cover really and both of them were poor by their own standards. This is more like it, he’s being paid top dollar and we all expected more, and some of us were almost willing to write him off completely. I hope he keeps giving as much as he can and whatever brought about the change, long may it continue. I think he’s always been getting into good areas for chances but they were going to waste, it’s good now if he gains in confidence – It might’ve just been some confidence issues after letting his teammates down, that brought about his lackluster.
Yes, he didn’t work well with Maitland-Niles, but it could be mended by allowing both of them work together in more matches
I wish they can build a better teamwork as what Iwobi and Kolasinac have been doing, because Arsenal need all players to achieve their targets at the end of this season
Two bad results in the upcoming EPL games could destroy Arsenal’s season
I couldn’t agree more.
hey to all gunners . thanks to the boy’s for lifting their game and bringing joy back to watch the team instead of headache mos of all special thanks to emery for putting back ozil in the team I don’t think is necessary to elaborate as ozil is by far our best play maker. on the miki topic I’ve for years before he even joined man u said that the gunners is where he belong and in the 22 game unbeaten run I saw the relationship he had build with ozil on the pitch when played out on left he use to cut in n score some nice goals teams didn’t know if he was gona shoot or just play in the pass. I stand on what I say we should get behind our team and this and better is what we’ll get. thanks
I love miki let’s win this weekend
MKihtarian is a solid quick player. He can shot and score on both feet. Having him Abu and Lacaz on the game is a threat for any opponent. Ozil on the other hand is a genius, without Ozil Arsenal is an ordinary team. Iwobi played much better on Wednesday making accurate passes for a change. Iwobi’s lack of progress is mainly due to lack of coaching. He never knew when to pass the ball, he passes the ball when he run out of option and hit the wall and consistently his passes were never accurate and he takes shot at the goal from an impossible angle. All of these could have been corrected through coaching. Leno is not adjusting to the EPL as quick as we would like to see. His passes near his box are often risky and lack distribution skills to avoid danger. One such example is the pass he gave to Gondizi, which resulted in a goal on Wednesday. Torriera and Gonduzi were excellent in the mid-field.
I could not more disagree on Leno. He is in a very rich vein of form and I fail to see how you can criticise him Players of Arsenal standard, as Guendouzi certainly is , and more actually, are expected to be able to shield the ball when passed out from the back. He was careless , that is all, but in the end it mattered not. I like Leno AND Guendouzi a great deal .
Absolutely right Jon. I think Leno has been a steal specially if you look at the costs of other top 6 goalkeepers.
Guendouzi, although a prodigious talent is probably our worst midfielder under pressure. He and Xhaka have been giving away the ball under pressure in our half the whole season. I feel like that’s why Unai was so insistent on Banega as he was looking for someone who is extremely cool under pressure bringing the ball out from the back, and to be fair we are still missing that player, which is key to the way Unai wants to play.
Good evening jimbeam
Guendouzi is still very young and still learning his trade but I admire him because even when he has made a bad mistake he still.wants the ball and still looks to go forward.
Within a few seasons he will be a top player for us. Stronger and wiser.
Unfortuatly I have never been a fan of Xhaka. He has and still is a ticking time bomb who has more then a mistake in him. No pace and under pressure he folds.. My opinon..bench warmer but never a starter.
Leno..decent goalkeeper but still not sure..if I had a choice I would have gone for some one like Tom Heaton or pope at Burnley. Heaton has come back after injury and looks just as good as before.also believe they would have cost less then leno and most important are proven.
Saying that Leno is our no.1 and I said before he’s pretty decent.
Agree. Been great acquisitions. Don’t see how they can be criticized this season. Leno has come up big in several games, and his distribution is at an acceptable level. Compared to Cech’s it is a massive improvement. And as for the Guendouzi thing… he was excellent every minute after that. He’s still a teenager until April too and he compete’s in Arsenal XI. Impressive.
Mikhi is quality but he needs to stay consistent…
leno needs time to adjust…some players take 3 weeks, some 3 months or more…..
unlike Fifa19….in reality, there are other factors that affect a player’s adaptability and etc.
It was only against a poor Bournemouth team.
We should be spanking the likes of them at the Emirates. I just want to see what our team can do against Spuds and United then I can start my over excitement.
And you haven’t seen that with 1-1 at oldtraford when was the last time we took a point way from there. Are you say the 4-2 against spurs was a fluke. Give credit where is due.
Leno and Guendouzi have been very good acquisitions.
Don’t forget Torreira!
Lichsteiner on the other hand.. even Jenkinson seems to be better than him!
After Germany Mhkit didn’t look adapted to British football. At United he only played well when he was used through the middle.
Both Mhkit and Ozil have Bergkamps class but not his standard. To do so they need to now crack on and push arsenal into being part of the collective ones who make us top 3 models.
“Bergkamps class”? They shouldn’t be mentioned in the same sentence as Dennis Bergkamp.
I think you are reading too much into it. Mkhitaryan has always been hot and cold player:
With Dortmund he had 1 decent, 1 horrible, 1 fantastic season. Same whrn he was with Shakhtar. At United he had okay first season and his second season with them/us was below average. Now he is playing really well again.
Some players are just inconsistent.
It’s temporary form as of now. Let’s not jump to conclusions quite yet. Glad he’s finally coming good for something though. Still better than Sanchez has been at United.
I thought Mkhitaryan did play well and so did the rest of the lads, a very good display. For me Guendouzi has to get quicker, he dwells on the ball a bit and the jury is still.out on him. Ozil is getting back on par and the front line is a major threat. Our defence is still s bit erratic but I think when Kos is there it’s steadier. We shouldn’t get carried away with the result on Wednesday night because Saturday will be different kettle of fish and a better calibre of team we will be beating.
Correct me if I’m wrong… but the last time we won away against the spuds was when Rosicky scored that screamer (Yes THAT screamer ?)
Just looked at our results against them (away) not great reading… along with our away form… but it’s the NLD, the team will be up for It for sure!! So come on AFC… make us proud COYG
Mkhitaryan performance has been very good in the last two appearance for the team. we hope he will not be disturbed by another injury. Injury has been one of the major factor of our poor performance this year and every other year in recent time.
“Finally” come good eh? That word FINALLY is so often wrongly used. There can be nothing final about Mkhi’s better current form. He has shown huge inconsistency throughout his time both at United and with us. We must see what happens next before rushing to judge on a very few recent games ,so please ditch the way premature “finally”!
The reason I am pedantic with incorrectly used language is that sloppily and carelessly used words, as in this articles headline , so often conceal or mask the actual truth. I prize honesty and truth above almost everything else in life.
Let call a spell a spell, micky is really doing great & we expect him & the team to carry that on, up gunners!!!!!!!