Analysis

One Year down, Henrikh Mkhitariyan or Alexis Sanchez

By Utsav Mehta

Posted on January 24, 2019

Then,”Alexis Sanchez scores a stunner squeezing through the opposition’s defence and helps Arsenal leap the table, while Henrikh Mkhitariyan keeps on scoring acrobatic shots to help Manchester United win Europa League.” – This is probably their time one year down where both were better than where they are now. Both have found it difficult to get into life in their new clubs, with their performance being bottom of the barrel since the day of joining.

While their days in former club were so good that their contribution was as uncountable as adding blood into water. And contrary to an year ago, their performance in new clubs has been as unworthy as adding cents to millions. It has been an underwhelming swap with both the players not able to present their best to either teams. However, Mkhitariyan has been better at Arsenal as compared to Alexis at Manchester United.

The swap that took a twitter hype has not responded in parallel fashion. When Sanchez was leaving Arsenal after having a wonderful run of games with scoring almost 60 goals in 122 games, the fans of Arsenal cursed the team management for a swap that involved their then best leaving. While it was speculated that dressing room environment got happier after Sanchez leave because of the fact that Sanchez used to brag more and perform less.

WATCH: MKHITARYAN VS ALEXIS

“It’s become a bit of a joke, I think, to laugh at Arsenal because they made noises saying ‘finally we got rid of Alexis Sanchez’ and then look at what’s happened to them but I think it’s been under-reported just how badly the whole Arsenal dressing room hated Alexis Sanchez,” Raphael Honigstein a German Journalist revealed.

Where one head his team mates were not happy with his performances on the other hand while playing for Red Devils the fans are discontented. They showed their grief on Twitter when Manchester United uploaded a post of Sanchez wishing him one year anniversary.

“Can’t wait for his debut” replied one fan.

“When will he turn up to play?” wrote another.

“Got to admit the best play (sic) he done for Utd was playing the piano” rose a third critic.

All the comments suggest their dismal with the Chilean and requesting him to perform as per his standards.

On this day in 2018: Henrikh Mkhitaryan completed his move to Arsenal from Manchester United in a deal that saw Alexis Sanchez move in the opposite direction. #afc pic.twitter.com/LbTumcQlyj

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) January 22, 2019

Henrikh Mkhitariyan, the Armenian midfielder on the other hand has had a rather decent run as compared to Sanchez. In almost the same number of matches played for Arsenal as that of Sanchez for United, Henrikh has been directly involved in 14 goals, scoring 5 of those and assisting 9.

The 30-year-old has found it difficult to get going under Emery and the Spaniard’s work ethic and hard practice session has made the Armenian suffer, lack of consistency being the major reason for he not being part of Emery’s major 11. And quality is the only reason he is still playing regularly.

“I would say it’s a bit too early to say something about it but I’m very pleased to be here and I’m trying my best,” said Mkhitaryan recently.

It wasn’t very easy at the start but I kept working every day and game after game, I’m trying to improve my game.

“I would say everything is going well, I’m very happy at the moment and I hope to continue in the same way.”

Both the players have had their down’s in the and the upcoming FA Cup fourth round tue between the two will be a test of who among the two will be better for their former team(if they both are given appearances).