Armenia international Henrikh Mkhitaryan has admitted that there was a secret conversation between him and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang prior to their January moves to Arsenal. Mkhitaryan arrived from Manchester United in a swap agreement involving Alexis Sanchez whilst Aubameyang arrived shortly after, on a club-record deal from Borussia Dortmund.
Speaking on Arsenal TV, Mkhitaryan confirmed pact with Aubameyang, and he hailed the Gabonese footballer for pushing through a move from Dortmund, he said: "I won’t mention all the details, because it’s not fair. But yes when I’ve signed for Arsenal I’ve been in touch with him saying, So the first step is done, now we’re waiting for the second one. I think it could only be in a dream that we could join us in another club than Dortmund, but I’m very happy for that. I know him very well. He’s one of my best friends and the best teammates I’ve ever had. I’m very happy to have him here and I think all the fans are happy as well to see him in Arsenal shirt."
The pair combined to score one of the goals during the Gunners' 5-1 win over Everton in the Premier League, but their performances were pretty average in the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur which followed.
Whilst Aubameyang did not receive the service he would have hoped from his attacking players, Mkhitaryan was hugely disappointing as he struggled to put in a cross using his weaker left foot, which was an issue which began at Old Trafford.
Aside from the Premier League, the duo are unlikely to team up in the League Cup and Europa League this season due to individual restrictions. Mkhitaryan is Cup-tied after having already featured for holders Manchester United, while Aubameyang is similarly ineligible for Europe with Dortmund due to participate in the Europa League.
Arsenal do not have a league game until the start of March but they still have plenty to play for with a double-legged Europa League round of 32 tie versus Ostersund followed by a Wembley outing against Manchester City in the League Cup final.