Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who came on as a second-half substitute for Arsenal in the North London Derby on Sunday, has signed for Serie A club AS Roma in a season-long loan deal from Premier League club Arsenal. The Armenian international was given a start in Arsenal’s opening Premier League game against Newcastle but faced heavy criticism for his poor performance. Roma is believed to have agreed on a loan-deal and will pay a transfer fee and also Mkhitaryan’s wages during his stay in Italy. Neymar Transfer News: Brazilian Star to Stay at PSG As Transfer Talks With Barcelona Failed.

According to a report from BBC, Roma has reached an agreement with Arsenal to sign the former Manchester United midfielder and has also agreed to pay his wages in addition to an undisclosed loan fee to the Premier League club for the transfer. Mkhitaryan joined Arsenal in January 2018 in a disastrous player swap-deal involving Alexis Sanchez, who swapped the Gunners for United. Both have been nothing more than a disaster for their respective clubs. During his two-year stay at Arsenal, the Armenian midfielder managed just nine goals in 59 appearances. Inter Milan Striker Romelu Lukaku Racially Abused in Italy During Match Against Cagliari.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan to AS Roma Done Deal

Mkhitaryan, 30, had signed for United in 2016 after a successful tenure for Borussia Dortmund in which he scored 23 goals in 52 appearances in 2015. But his £27 move United wasn’t fruitful as he struggled and was hauled off to Arsenal after scoring just 13 times in 63 games. It was the same story at The Emirates with Mkhitaryan struggling to put up consistent good performances.

Earlier a report from Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sports Italia stated that, AS Roma are pressing hard to complete a loan deal for Mkhitaryan. The report further stated that the move was brought forward by Sporting Director Gianluca Petrachi, who is eager to complete the deal before the transfer deadline.

Had he stayed Mkhitaryan would have found it difficult to establish himself as a regular under new boss Unai Emery. He started the first game against Newcastle but was used as a substitute in the following two matches, including in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham in North London Derby.

The 30-year-old midfielder is, however, not the only player to depart Arsenal on 2019/20 European transfer deadline day. Arsenal are also reportedly open to selling centre-back Shkodran Mustafi before the European transfer shuts down. The North London club have already sold four players and could be losing more before the D-Day ends.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2019 03:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).