Mkhitaryan trains with Arsenal for the first time

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has trained with Arsenal for the first time after sealing his swap deal with Manchester United.

The Armenian midfielder has taken Alexis Sanchez’s old No. 7 shirt after trading places with the Chilean, who in turn has taken the same number upon arrival at Old Trafford.

Mkhitaryan joined his teammates as they limbered up for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea, although he will be cup-tied after featuring for United in their quarter-final defeat to Bristol City earlier in the competition.

Mkhitaryan met up with Arsene Wenger and his new teammates, who will be confident of reaching the Wembley final after they held Chelsea to a goalless draw in the first leg.

Speaking at his press conference before training, Wenger praised Mkhitaryan, saying: “I have no doubt about his attitude and his desire to do well.

“He suffered from the competition he had there [United]. ‘It’s my challenge to get him to express his incredible talent which we know is absolutely there. He has a new challenge.

When asked when he’ll make his debut, he added: “That depends on the team performances and his own fitness and performances in training.”