Arsenal playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan says that he is ‘enjoying’ life and the style of football at Arsenal more than at Manchester United, the Daily Mail reports.
Mkhitaryan admits he was surprised by how rapidly matters deteriorated at Old Trafford and has expressed his relief that ‘everything is different’ at Arsenal.
‘It’s life, you have to be ready for everything,’ Mkhitaryan says.
‘Of course, it was a hard moment for me but I was trying to pass that hard moment. I don’t know, maybe something was wrong or something was not the way I wanted, but it’s life and it keeps going.
‘Arsenal have always played offensive football. Under Jose, the team was playing a bit differently. I’m not criticizing anyone, it’s just a different philosophy.
‘I can just say I’m enjoying myself more here than I was in Manchester.’
‘The philosophy is different, the playing style is different, the club is different, it is not comparable to anything.
‘Every aspect is different and I cannot compare, that’s what I’m saying. Everything is totally different being here because it’s like a new page in the book or in your life.’
Mkhitaryan arrived at Arsenal to play for Arsene Wenger but within four months of his arrival, the Frenchman’s 22-year tenure came to an end.
‘I had no idea that the manager was going to change,’ Mkhitaryan says. ‘You know in football everything happens very quickly and you don’t know what can happen tomorrow. ‘
But when I came to this club I felt the warmth of this team is really different, it’s like a family and everyone is taking care of you. It’s a shame to see Arsene Wenger leaving the club but this is football and you have to move forward.’
Mkhitaryan is, however, optimistic about the new era as Arsenal prepare to face Atletico Madrid in Singapore this evening.
He is reunited with former Borussia Dortmund team-mates Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the trio all signed for the club this year following the arrival of former Dortmund head of recruitment Sven Mislintat.
Mkitaryan, 29, was central to getting the band back together. ‘I am always in touch with my old team-mates,’ he smiles. ‘Of course, when I came to Arsenal and I heard they had the opportunity to come here I was just convincing them: come to the club because I knew they would fit in well.
‘I was messaging them, yes, but I wasn’t the guy who was having to buy them and pay the money!’
Mkhitaryan’s start to life at Arsenal was disrupted by injury last season but he now feels re-energised by a full pre-season under Emery.
‘Arsenal knew who they were going to sign in Unai Emery. They knew he was going to play offensive football so that’s why they signed him.
‘It will be easier. Why? Because I am starting the season with this team and obviously with the new manager you understand more of what he is asking of you and the new paying style he wants to bring to Arsenal. It’s going to be a good season for me and the club.’
