Henrikh Mkhitaryan has joined Roma on a permanent basis after spending the 2019/20 campaign on loan there, Arsenal have confirmed.
The midfielder leaves the club after the mutual termination of his contract at the Emirates, which will free up £180,000 on the club's wage bill ahead of next term.
Mkhitaryan impressed during his loan spell in Italy, scoring nine goals and making six assists in 28 games [19 starts] across Serie A and the Europa League last season.
The Armenian joined Arsenal in a swap deal from Manchester United involving Alexis Sanchez in January 2018 and had one full season with the Gunners in 2018/19.
All in all, Mkhitaryan made 59 appearances for Arsenal, scoring nine goals and making 13 assists, but failed to build on the initial momentum built under Arsene Wenger when he first signed.
Despite flashes of brilliance under Unai Emery, the 31-year-old didn't look a great fit for Arsenal as he was often played out wide, where he had much less impact on games.
He initially joined the Italian club last September after featuring in the 2-2 draw in the north London derby and the club weren't shy of making their intention of having the deal turn permanent known.
“Mkhi during this season got some injuries but he is returning now and he is proving his quality,” Roma boss Paulo Fonseca told Sky Sports in February.
“He is a player with great decisions on the pitch and I would also like to keep Mkhi in our team.”
