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Have Arsenal found a cheaper alternative to Gotze?

Posted on December 23, 2011 by admin

It is being reported that the chief Arsenal scout Steve Rowley has advised Arsene Wenger to have another look at Shakhtar Donetsk’s creative midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan ahead of a potential move in January.

After the departure of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona in the summer, Arsenal have seriously lacked the creativity in midfield that he provided and Rowley believes that the young Armenian could be the one to fill the void left by the Spaniard.

Known as ‘The Maestro of Armenian Football’, the 22-year-old is one of the hottest properties in Turkey. He is a typical midfield maestro and possesses great ball control, shows good pace and is very well known for his vision and creativity. His style of play is very similar to that of our former captain except for the fact that he doesn’t score as many goals. But then again, I think there are enough players in the Arsenal team who can do that.
If sources are to be believed, the Turkish side are willing to let him go for anything in the range of £8 million.

In my opinion, he would be a great signing for Arsenal. He can provide the much needed creativity in the Gunners midfield and at just £8 million, he is a much cheaper alternative to the likes of Mario Gotze and Kaka. Certainly sounds like a typical Wenger signing to me.

What do you think?

Should Wenger break the bank on someone like Gotze or should he bring in the cheaper but less proven Mkhitaryan?

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60 to “Have Arsenal found a cheaper alternative to Gotze?”

  1. arsenal till i die says:

    sounds good to me.

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 39 Thumb down 7

  2. Christian Ethiopia says:

    Shakhtar Donetsk is Ukrainian, not Turkish…by the way, this guy, Mkhitaryan is really fast, and I’ve watched him play in the champions league against the likes of Barca: he was very good, showing great creativiity. If push comes to shove, and we cant get Gotze, then we can get Mkhitaryan

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 96 Thumb down 2

  3. hashim says:

    there are reports of Arshavin being offloaded in the winter window. if that is the case, then there is every reason to reinvest the sale revenue back into another midfield player who can added some flair and creativity. I dont see Diaby filling in that role. if the player is that good and available at the mentioned price, he should be bought. Also, our midfield will be short of experience very soon as I dont believe that Rosicky and Benayoun will make it next season.

    Opinions divided. What do you think? Thumb up 15 Thumb down 16

  4. zak says:

    As Christian Ethiopia pointed out, Shaktar Donetsk is am Ukrainian side. question is: is this guy turkish or armenian? only concern about this news is, everybody will be after this player from now on, for the simple fact that the arse is interested in him! you bet, the spuds will be after him as well!

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 46 Thumb down 2

  5. rj says:

    looks good, but I still think gotze would be better as he would be a high profile signing, and we aldo need more world class players to really challenge the top teams.

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 34 Thumb down 5

  6. I really do not rate Gotze and I honestly think there is no point in spending 30 million on him when we already have Wilshere and Ramsey. I would rather go for someone versatile like Shaqiri and this new American guy seems a good player as well.

    For me, much concentration should be on signing a very good striker and probably a very versatile defender who can play in all defensive departments.

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 13

  7. At arsenal,we make stars,we dont buy star.aw shuld listen 2 his chief scout and bring dis armenian guy.by d time aw put in him d arsenal flavour,he wil b greater than fab and gotze.

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 2

  8. Aaron says:

    Im Armenian! It would be so cool if Arsenal bought him because there are only 1 or 2 very good Armenian players and he is one of them!

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 2

  9. Florin says:

    we need quality of Gotze and work of Wilshere to can win something this year…do not compare Ucrainian championship with Premier League…and if we want to take a good wonderkid we can sign David Alaba to…he is a real gunner and play very well…so Gotze MUST sign with us…he and Wilshere will be the best midfield in the world in a cuple of years.

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 3

  10. Twig says:

    Thought Jadson was Shaktar’s main attacking mid? My bad. Could be a gr8 buy, Shaqiri is another player who looks interesting..

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1

  11. kiya says:

    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

    Out of tune?. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 25

  12. samuel zyon D Nigerian gunner says:

    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

    Out of tune?. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 9

  13. toyenth hayjay says:

    i believe we stil need a m.field and if we can both players i wil be happy nd beta for d team.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0

  14. S.H says:

    Wow Wenger really has everyone guessing. Regardless, release some players and just get a few creative players in. Don’t fuss over names.

    Whoever we acquire, Arsene will bring the best out of them. If I had to be realistic I’ll be looking at anyone that will cost no more than 15M

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 2

  15. kagoda ronald says:

    we are tired of average players,with midfield we some one already established since we are in crisis of trophies.so gotze is the best.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 4

  16. luti says:

    we need HAZARD same one ho score…..and play good………HAZARD……

    Opinions divided. What do you think? Thumb up 3 Thumb down 10

  17. rj says:

    @S.H
    we can bring the best out of players, but that wont help persuade rvp and others to stay. think we need immediate impact

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 0

  18. Big Gun says:

    Wenger had already offered 25m for Gotze before. Dortmund turned it down because it wasn’t good timing for the club. Now they want 30m. Wenger and board, fork out an extra 5m for him, he is 19 years of age and brilliant (much better than Ramsey). Arsenal has skimped too much on signing of players in the past, but on the contrary have made a fortune selling them. Also signing him would make our star players extend their contracts.

    We don’t have time anymore to take a gamble on players. We need to sign already established quality, especially for our midfield.

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 2

  19. saton81 says:

    No No No…

    We need a big signing to keep van persie. He does not fit the bill. He plays quite slow so i dont think he’ll do it in the EPL. He’ll turn out to be a denilson. I’ve seen him play.

    Gotze or Eden Hazard are the names we have to sign.

    Opinions divided. What do you think? Thumb up 15 Thumb down 7

  20. saton81 says:

    Like Wenger said before he sold Nasri and Fabregas.

    If you sell your best players you are no longer a big club.

    Being realistic we cant win the title or the champtions league with out squad.

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2

  21. GIDDY says:

    wenger always look for players with alot of resale value. Gotze i really doubt but Shaqiri can do the trick. although signing Gotze will also be a good statement of intent to indicate that arsenal is not for the cheap. Ideally i beg wenger to sign a good striker M.Raus or Podosky to take a goal scoring burden from RVP.

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0

  22. then don says:

    he would be a risk and might need a season to settle in

    we need a world class player

    we got frimpong, ramsey, alex and benayo and tomas
    who are good but are not really world class to be in the stating elevn.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 4

  23. then don says:

    sagna .per..vermilen…santos.

    Song

    goetez…Wilshare

    theo podolski

    v perise.

    Sub: fabianski,Koss,Gervinho,Ramsey, frimong, Alex, ..Another midfiled

    thats team looks like it can beat anyone
    and most imporat we would have a good beach

    likes of arshin chamak squillac almunia are on the wage bill for doing nothing .

    and arshing in makinh 80k a week

    Opinions divided. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 6

  24. Mtanzania says:

    Ripht for the future of arsenal as it take time to copy mates in the team. We have to focus an altenative signing to the problem we have, still gotze is better than this young who need time as we hv many of the kind.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1

  25. Joseph says:

    I think Arsenal has enough midfilders for this season. A creative midfild can be covered by Benapon or Rosisk. I think they are better than Ramsey in terms of acuracy.
    Someone to help RVP I propose a Gananian named Asmoah Giang, he wont cost much and he is very strong

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 6

  26. fowler says:

    I personally am not bothered about bringing in big name expensive signings as long as we sign players who are quality so for me i wouldn’t be bothered about signing this bloke over gotze aslong as he is class. However I agree that I think we might have to bring in a big name signing to get rvp and all the other players to stay.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2

  27. Bendt says:

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan is very fast he is faster than our all midfield players (Gunners). He can give midfield energy boost beside he can sprinted any full backs and top stoppers believe me. GOETZE he prefer to go to Barca and Real if he come to us he will follow Fab’s footsteps and move to BARCA I don’t want to see that again so GOETZE? NO WAY I prefer HENRIKH MKHITARYAN bcoz his DREAM TEAM IS ARSENAL.

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1

  28. Joseph says:

    My dears, Arsenal has been players promoting team. The moment unknown players is linked to sign Arsenal. Financial giant teams they go for those players. Consider Ricky, Mata and the like. I hope even those who are linked for January will be taken by giants and Arsenal will sign someone onloan 31stJanuary

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1

  29. rohan says:

    We are all hype about gotze, at 19 years old there is no guarantee that he will fit straight into the EPL. There is always in risk in signing overseas players. I personally don’t see us buying Gotze, because there is no way that we will be the only club to come in for him and we don’t have the financial muscle to compete with the others.

    The armenian is more an arsene type opf signing, who will not attract much attention from the other clubs. Have we forgotten that when he bought song, most people laughed and said he was no where the quality that arsenal need and now look at him. We bought a proven player in Arshavin and he has rarely come to the party for the club.

    Yes a big name signing would lift the spirits or satisfy the desires of the fans but there is never a guarantee that it would work out for the club. Look at TORRES, LAKUKU,VERON,CARROL AND ALL THE PSG SIGNINGS FOR THIS SEASON. We need players who will fight tooth and nail for the club no matter how much they are worth. Thats why i have full respect for guys like Rosicky and benayoun, who we see putting in the effort everytime they get the opportunity.

    Our scouting system has work miracles for us in the past and if the chief scout recommends players then it must be with a thorough knowledge of the players qualities. In Arsenal I believe.

    Top Gooner!. Agree or not?: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 1

  30. Tristan says:

    apart from the price, the differences is Goetze will be a boost to the team and Mkhitaryan could be a surprise! if we want to keep RVP, Song like. we need high profile signings!

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0

  31. toby says:

    we could spend 30 to 40mil and still not get someone as good as wilshere!! trust me when hesback the whole squad will step up a gear, i think hes been out so long weve forgotten just how good he is. forget goetze jack had iniesta and xavi in his pocket last year!

    striker an absolute priority! 1 must be provern in pl, 2 must not but cup tied for cl, 3 must be in good form, 4 must be able to lead the front line alone to suit our 1 striker formation, 5 must be affordable both fee and wages, 6 club must be willing to sell at right price, 7 its DEMBA BA !!!!!!!!!!!! MIKE ASHLEY WOULD SELL HIS NAN FOR THE RIGHT PRICE GO GET THIS ABSOLUTE BEAST WENGER NEWCASTLE WILL SELL FOR 15 MILL GAURENTEED!

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2

  32. Bendt says:

    Yes he is cheap but our scout where amazing to find posential world class players (Song, Frimpong, Cuoquelin, Ramsey you name it). Get him and use money wisely and bought Hazard and other full back so Robin van Persie will sign a new contract.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0

  33. Omashy gooner says:

    Well, let’s not forget the Arsenal ethos and spirit (the very thing that sets Arsenal apart) as we consider this new Armenian. If he has the raw skill and talent with a prospect to add value to the team – then he’ll be preferred to a finished product in Gotze.

    Mata was well sought after, but trust me, I will take Arteta any day to mata – I rate Arteta a lot higher. He’s got skills, hunger and the right attitude to blend with the team

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0

  34. xmoro says:

    I want that Arsenal signs Goetze.
    I love this player.
    He thinks very quick on the pitch. He is just 19, but he will be like Messi. Do you want Messi in Arsenal? Goetze will be like Messi in 2-3 years.
    In 2006 i saw Messi first time he was good but not perfect. Young talent. Now Messi world star.
    Goetze is same. He is mega talent. But he need team who can play short pass. Most Dortmund player can not play so quick short passes. If Goetze, Wilshire, Chambo will play together it will be mega team. If I’d had 40mln Euro I would give all for this player.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2

  35. Alex says:

    Get gotze and hazard. Switch to a 3 5 2. This may seem weird because of 3 defenders however It can change into a back 5 when the other team have posesion.song wilshere gotze arteta Ramsey all work hard for the team so can control the 3 middle positions. Gervinho and hazard on the wings. Theo and robin up front. We will control the midfield which will cover for us only having 3 defenders and will be extrely attack minded. Attack is the best defense remember

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2

  36. FS says:

    Goetze for me.Arsenal aren’t lacking that much creativity thanks to Ramsey & with Wilshere coming back Arsenal’s creativity will increase.Also should try to get Hazard if we can’t then definately try to get Jesus Navas.Navas is a superb winger.In January,try to get Podolski,Navas & Goetze(even Hazard but there isn’t really any chance though).Diaby should be sent on loan or should be sold(I really don’t think he is a central Midfielder or a Defensive midfielder.In fact I don’t think hes good in playing at any position).

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5

  37. soop says:

    all i want to see is:
    arshavin, chamakh and squillaci leave

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1

  38. sugio says:

    the armenian is in the wright performance..
    buy he.!

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0

  39. rj says:

    heard a rumour about wenger interested in Lucas Moura. he would be even better. arguably more talented than gotze and not cup tied

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0

  40. rocky says:

    Gotze. He does all what that guy can do and score goals. 30mil and he’ll come… theres no way they can charge more than Cesc.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0

  41. Cameron says:

    Cesc never scored many goals until he had a break out season in 07/08, neither did messi until his break out season.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

  42. JJ says:

    I have one name for you: REUS! He is electric! Get him early before the other clubs are too interested!!

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1

  43. Tomma13 says:

    This is a tough one, it could go either way, I dont think we should offer anymore than 30 million for Gotze. This Armenian guy sounds good. I think we should put a cheeky bid of 25 million for Gotze. If we dont get him then we must get this armenian guy. Definately sell squillaci, Chamakh, Almunia and maybe Diaby loaned? Dont sell Arshavin yet though because he should be played in the CAM position or atleast be played in a full game on a wing.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1

  44. goona johnny says:

    Something for all my fellow gooners to ponder and aggree or disaggree with, does anyone think jack rodwell would be a good signing there’s been no mention of it but just something that popped in to my head evertons financial situation isn’t great as we all know so surely worth a go with a not such substantial fee I would have thought you could probly prize him away with something in the reigon of 10m and seeing as him and wilshere are the future of england it wouldn’t work out to bad for our international team either. Massively underrated player in my eyes please let me know what you think brothers

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1

  45. NO.1 GUNNER FAN says:

    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

    Out of tune?. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 10

  46. ArsenaLova says:

    rambo is not creative guys.hes role is in arteta position as a centre midfield.bt istil wud prefer arteta.n rosicky at the moment. song,frimpong dfensive midfield.wilshere,arteta,coquelin,rambo,diaby,centre midfield. rosicky n benayoun- atacking and centre mid.we hv enough centre midfield.we need that box to box type of player. wud love to see song/arteta-wilshere-goetze. .

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0

  47. Emin says:

    This player is top class. I don’t know if you guys remember but it was he who brought Armenia within the same league as Ireland in regards to qualifying for the Euros. That match was absolutely amazing and Armenia played quick, flowing attacking football (much like Arsenal) with a lot of help from this young guy. This is an excellent signing but I still believe we need another world class striker and need to get rid of old meat such as Chamakh, Arshavin, Djourou, Diaby, Almunia and Squillaci. Then we should rebuild the team with the fund with the likes of this great playmaker and another world class striker (Podolski anyone?)

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2

  48. Jordan says:

    He’s very good and has potential.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0

  49. Santa says:

    Marco Reus would be a top signing for the club. He adds the creativity and flair we are missing and can play anywhere across the front three or just behind the forwards in the midfield. Tomas simply does not get it done anymore due to the injuries that hes suffered. Bring in an outside back like Jordi Alba from Valencia to solve our problem in the back and we can contend for a title with Jack coming back and more playing time to Ox.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

  50. sweeper says:

    why all the gotze hype??? he’s 19-20. do u guys want to be HOPING for trophies based on POTENTIAL AGAIN. cesc is undoubtley the best CM/CAM in the world or will eventually be, but we never won anything with him, u think u are going to win something with gotze???? and u want wenger to splash 30 mil on that. cesc leaving could very well be a blessing in disguise. wenger has scrapped his dream team vision cause he’s not sure how much longer he’ll be around to see players reach their potential. Wenger is not looking for teens anymore, except if they are exceptional. he wants players that can fit straight into 1st team or utility players like eboue to make up numbers.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

  51. shamsulabrarp says:

    come on wenger jan vertonghen gotze/hzrd podolki/cavani/pato

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0

  52. Arsenal says:

    apperantely the lyon owner is in london to discuss a transfer for Yoann Gourcuff. Does that satisfy you people clamouring for Hazard or should we also sign Messi?
    Christ’s sake, every transfer window we need to clear out our squad, no one we have is good enough.
    This for me is perfect january: Podolski, Gourcuff, loan for Taiwo

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0

  53. Tomma13 says:

    Definately Loan/sign Taiwo/Vertonghen!!! Podolski for no more than 18 million. SELL: Squillaci, Almunia, Rosicky or Diaby, Chamakh!!!

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  54. Posambique says:

    Hmm…
    I want Alexandre Pato.
    Our midfield will be good enough when Wilshere is fit again.
    We need a world class striker though, and I haven’t heard many good choices. Podolski might be good enough. Pato surely is, I think he is one of the most promising attackers in the world. Considering his age he’s very ready and has an amazing amount of top class experience. Then we need to loan a full back. Hope Arsene will find a good enough full back. I am ready to take a risk and play Miquel if we can’t find a decent full back. I think Miquel has played OK.

    Hazard would be a great signing. Goetze is too expensive and I think that Toni Kroos is a better player. I don’t know anything about Mkhitaryan so can’t comment, but he might not be a bad player. I’m not so sure we need him. Benayon should play more IMO.

    Alexandre Pato is what we need. Anyone agree with me?

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

  55. goonajohnny says:

    posambique i agree with you 100% mate that would be a fantastic signing i just cant see it happening 1)because of money and 2) because he is that class as soon as he became available everyone and there mothers would be on to him. would love to see benayoun bought tho great player good team player aswell

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  56. albert says:

    The arsenal team should buy the armenian player, because he is too fast, i think he is the best midfielder that arsenal had, so if arsenal will buy a player the choice must be the armenian player:)

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0

  57. teddy t says:

    All credit to arsenal for drawing a profit, but it’s at a cost to the fans, season ticket price is unreal…., why is it arsenal seems to be the only big club concerned with making money, at the cost of my faith to the team. tough love i spose…

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  58. Colin says:

    Sorry but there no such thing as an alternative to Gotze. This guy was born to play for Arsenal. already a German International, world class talent, only 19, known as most talented player to ever come out of Germany, has the experience creativity and composure that we NEED. Gotze said he likes Arsenal’s playing. AW PLEASE SIGN GOTZE! We need players like him to keep RVP and we need at least a top 4 finish. This is not the time for more experiments. Sell Chamakh, Arshavin, Diaby, Squillaci, Almunia

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  59. Simon says:

    Shakhtar is not a Turkish club. It’s an Ukrainian club.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

  60. Vasken says:

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan

    Mkhitaryan is another Pyunik Yerevan player, with the Armenia international starting his professional career with the club in 2006 as a 17-year-old.

    In four seasons at the club, he won four league titles, a cup title and a super cup title, and in his final season at the club, he scored 13 goals in 13 games from midfield.

    Linked with Arsenal in the most recent January transfer window, Mkhitaryan is a player in the Cesc Fabregas mold, with excellent ball control, short-range passing ability and vision as the link player between midfield and attack.

    However, he’s more like Chelsea star Frank Lampard in his direct style, with the Donetsk star not being one to turn down a shot on goal.

    It’s done him quite well this season for Shaktar, though, as he’s scored seven goals to go with his four assists in 21 league games following his £5 million move last summer.

    One of the best title winners for any player aged 23 or under—having won nine trophies in his professional club career so far—Henrikh Mkhitaryan is quite possibly the best midfielder you’ve never heard of.

    Rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0



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