Mkhitaryan worthy of a higher callingFriday 22 May 2009
by Khachik Chakhoyan from Yerevan
FC Pyunik coach Vardan Minasyan has admitted that he would love to see
his star player Henrikh Mkhitaryan "playing in a stronger league"
after the 20-year-old started the Armenian season with nine goals in
eight league games.
Star billing
With his late father Hamlet Mkhitaryan – not to be confused with the
current Armenian international midfielder of the same name – already
recognised as one of Pyunik’s star players of the late-Soviet era,
young Henrikh is well on his way to becoming a legend in his own
right, with coach Minasyan telling uefa.com: "He can win games on his
own. He seizes control at the crucial moment and scores for fun."
Cracking start
Scorer of the winning goal in the recent Armenian Cup final,
Mkhitaryan has also scored nine of his side’s 21 league goals to date,
with Pyunik making a suitably emphatic unbeaten start to their bid for
a ninth successive local title. "He has made a huge step forward,"
said Minasyan. "However, I would like to see him playing in a stronger
league. That would help him and the national team as well."
Arsenal fan
Mkhitaryan for his own part is dreaming of the English Premier
League. "My favourite team is Arsenal," said the attack-minded
midfielder, who has played ten games for Armenia, scoring once. "I
like their attacking play and fast style. Moreover, Arsène Wenger
puts faith in young players while demanding results at the same
time. I like that and want to play there one day."
Inspiring examples
Making that dream a reality may demand better performances on the
biggest stage, with Pyunik yet to progress beyond the second
qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. Mkhitaryan remains
hopeful. "BATE Borisov and Anorthosis Famagusta showed we shouldn’t be
afraid of the big teams," he said. "If we can’t reach the Champions
League group stage I really hope we can play in the Europa League."
‘Almost perfect’
In the meantime, Mkhitaryan is busy with domestic matters, where he
insists things are tougher than they look. "We are top but it is no
pushover – we have worked hard. Everyone is at their best against
the champions." Tougher games, though, can only improve him, as
Minasyan said: "He is almost perfect. All he needs is confidence, but
he has the time and skills to work on that."