Henrikh Mkhitaryan says he had to leave the Emirates to “get pleasure playing football again”, as he signed for Roma on loan this summer.
He joined Arsenal from Manchester United in 2018, and scored just eight goals in 39 league matches during his time in London.
The winger, who scored two goals in his country’s European Qualifier victory over Bosnia on Sunday, felt he had to leave England to find his love for football again.
He said: “I have to enjoy playing football, no matter the place. In England, I no longer felt happy.
“I got a call from my agent and I wanted to come, because it was a great opportunity for me. I didn’t even have a discussion with my agent about money.
“Maybe I was not fitting so well in English football, so I think a change was good.”
The Armenian signed for Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund, before joining Arsenal in a swap deal with Alexis Sanchez who has also made a transfer to Serie A, joining Inter Milan on loan.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan says he now wants to concentrate on his new challenge in the Italian Seria A.
He said: “The last month at Arsenal I was not happy, so that’s why I said it was better to come to Roma and to get happy and to get the pleasure from playing football again.
“Now I am in Rome and I focus on them. This is not a step backwards as great football is played here. I wanted to change scenery and for me it is an opportunity to be seized.”
