Mkhitaryan revealed as Arsenal fan ahead of Gunners move

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Henrikh Mkhitaryan is nearing a move to Arsenal in the January transfer window
In interview with UEFA back in 2009, the Armenian revealed he is an Arsenal fan
He said: ''I like their attacking play and fast style. I want to play there one day'
Alexis Sanchez is set to go the other way and join Manchester United in the deal

Published: 06:10 EDT, 17 January 2018 | Updated: 07:43 EDT, 17 January 2018

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Arsenal fans have been given even more reason to get excited about the signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan after it was revealed he is a fan.

The Armenian is closing in on a move to north London, with Alexis Sanchez going the other way to Manchester United, and some intriguing quotes have been found.

Speaking to UEFA during his time as a Pyunik player nine years ago, the midfielder said: 'My favourite team is Arsenal.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan looks set to leave Arsenal as he and Alexis Sanchez go opposite ways

Mkhitaryan, pictured in 2009 - the year of the interview - admitted he is an Arsenal fan

'I like their attacking play and fast style. Moreover, Arsene Wenger puts faith in young players while demanding results at the same time. I like that and want to play there one day.'

And it seems he will get his move, nearly a decade after first calling for it as a 20-year-old playing in his home country.

From there, he went on to Metalurh Donetsk and Shakhtar Donetsk, before his big break came at Borussia Dortmund under Jurgen Klopp.

The bright lights of the Premier League came calling from there, and now he looks set to join Arsenal in the January transfer window.

He has played against Arsenal plenty of times; pictured here in 2010 for Shakhtar Donetsk

The midfielder scored against his 'favourite team' in the Champions League for Dortmund

His move to the Emirates Stadium has edged closer after it became clear that United have beaten Manchester City in the race to sign Sanchez.

The Armenia international is under contract at Old Trafford until 2020 and his agent Mino Raiola insisted that he will either leave on his own terms or stall and jeopardise the swap deal with Sanchez.

However, it's understood that Mkhitaryan accepts he has no future at United and is now looking to negotiate an increase on his £140,000-a-week contract when he moves.