Arsenal’s decision to sell Henrikh Mkhitaryan in 2020 for a modest fee of £6 million has come back to haunt them, with the Armenian midfielder exceeding expectations since his departure. Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has expressed regret over the club’s seemingly careless sale of the intelligent midfielder who has outperformed Martin Odegaard, a player who was brought in to fill the creative void.
The rise of Arsenal under Mikel Arteta has been remarkable, especially following the departure of Arsene Wenger, who had a legendary 22-year tenure at the club. Arteta, taking over from his compatriot, had the challenging task of living up to Wenger’s legacy. While players like Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba have grown into key figures under Arteta’s management, there’s one man who ties the team together, and that’s Martin Odegaard.
Odegaard’s journey at Arsenal wasn’t without its challenges, particularly during his loan spell. However, after signing permanently for £30 million, he has become a mainstay in the team, justifying the price tag with his performances. His seven goals and four assists in his first full season at Arsenal marked a steady improvement, laying the foundation for the team’s title charge the following season. Odegaard’s 15 goals and eight assists during that campaign set him apart as one of Europe’s top attacking midfielders. He ranks in the top 1% for non-penalty goals, total shots, and shot-creating actions per 90 minutes. His impact on Arsenal’s midfield has been undeniable.
Arsenal’s decision to part ways with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who was brought in as a replacement for Alexis Sanchez, proved to be a decision they would later regret. Mkhitaryan’s three assists on his debut gave fans hope, but he struggled to meet the high expectations. Eventually, he left the club, with critics citing a lack of quality, speed, and commitment as reasons for his departure.
Since leaving Arsenal in 2020, Mkhitaryan has thrived at AS Roma, arguably outperforming Odegaard. In the 2020/21 season, Mkhitaryan scored 13 goals and provided 11 assists in Serie A, while Odegaard managed just four goal contributions in the Premier League. Their performances were on par in the following season, but in the years that followed, Mkhitaryan continued to shine. In total, Mkhitaryan has amassed 27 goals and 25 assists across all competitions since leaving Arsenal, surpassing Odegaard’s 28 goals and 16 assists.
Notably, Mkhitaryan played a crucial role in AS Roma’s unexpected journey to the Champions League final, emphasizing the talent that Arsenal allowed to slip through their grasp. While Odegaard is now set to enjoy consistent success with Arsenal, it’s evident that the decision to sell Mkhitaryan was rushed, as his impressive performances since departing have underlined. Arsenal’s failure to retain such a seasoned creator now appears to be a significant misstep that has come back to haunt them.
