Henrikh Mkhitaryan says he is keen to remain at Roma on a permanent basis despite suggestions from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta that he could yet have a future in north London.
Mkhitaryan joined the Italian team on a season-long loan in September after failing to impress previous Gunners boss Unai Emery and has had a largely successful time, scoring six goals and creating three assists in Serie A.
He has yet to play for Arteta, though, and the Spaniard suggested in March that Mkhitaryan could yet return in the future, saying: "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."
Nevertheless, it is believed Arsenal and Roma are currently in discussions over the possibility of making Mkhitaryan's loan deal a permanent one, and speaking in an interview on Futbol with Grant Wahl the 31-year-old hinted that his preference would be to remain in the Italian capital.
"Of course I would like to be at Roma next season, not only next season but for another few years," Mkhitaryan said.
"But I still have a contract with Arsenal and it's not up to me. It's up to Arsenal and Roma if they will agree terms of the transfer fee.
"So my thinking is to train hard, to play hard, to look forward to what's going to happen. Of course, if I’m not going to stay at Roma I have to go back to Arsenal.
"I’m not complaining, football life changes so quickly so you have to be ready to play wherever you are. If not in Rome, I’m going to go back and play for Arsenal, if not, I’m going to stay here and play for Rome."
