Mikel Arteta hints Henrikh Mkhitaryan could have Arsenal future

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that he has 'always liked' Henrikh Mkhitaryan, suggesting that the playmaker could be used in his first-team squad next season.

While Mkhitaryan has endured an injury-hit campaign on loan at Roma, the playmaker has still contributed six goals and four assists from 17 appearances in Serie A and the Europa League.

Although it is been expected that the Armenia international will leave the Emirates Stadium in the summer, Arteta has suggested that the 31-year-old may feature in his plans for the next campaign.

The Spaniard is quoted by the Evening Standard as saying: "It's a possibility that we have and will consider. I always liked him, he is the kind of player who can fit in any team when he is at his best.

"He needs to do it consistently and here he had moments and that's what we need to assess. Miki is doing really well in recent games. We know the player he's been, we know his past, and we need to have all the information to make the right decision."

Since moving to Arsenal in January 2018, Mkhitaryan has scored nine goals from 59 appearances in all competitions.