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For a five-year stretch between 2011 and 2016, Henrikh Mkhitaryan emerged as one of Europe's most dynamic attacking players. With an eye-popping 71 goals and 49 assists in all competitions for Shakhtar Donestk and Borussia Dortmund during that half-decade, it was no surprise to see Manchester United fork over €42 million in the summer of 2016 for the then 27-year-old attacking midfielder.
After 18 largely unimpressive months in Manchester, Mkhitaryan was sold to Arsenal for a still impressive €34 million, and while he fared a bit better with the Gunners, it wasn't long before he became surplus to requirements at the Emirates, falling gently into Roma's lap last summer.
After turning in nine goals and six assists in all competitions during his debut season with Roma, the Giallorossi were chomping at the bit to resign the Armenian attacking talent. And while it was a bit more complicated than they thought, Mkhitaryan and his agent Mino Raiola were able to free the 31-year-old from his Arsenal contract, signing a permanent deal with Roma in September 2020.
And what a deal it's been. In 19 appearances this season (all comps), Mkhitaryan has been one of the three or four best players in the league, scoring eight goals and chipping in seven assists. In terms of league play, his 13 goal contributing actions (7G, 6A) ties him with Cristiano Ronaldo (12 G, 1A) and Romelu Lukaku (11G, 2A) for the league lead.
There's really no way to overstate how sensational Mkhitaryan has been since arriving last season, and with an overwhelming 82% of your votes, Mkhitaryan was the runaway winner for our offensive player of the year, beating out Edin Dzeko (15%) by a considerable margin.