Arsenal confirm departure of experienced attacker

Arsenal have confirmed the departure of Henrikh Mkhitaryan on a permanent basis to AS Roma after they terminated his contract by mutual consent. 

The Armenia international fell out-of-favour under Unai Emery last term and he was loaned out to the Giallorossi where he made a good impression with nine goals and six assists from 27 outings.

Mkhitaryan had been eager to make the switch to the Serie A outfit on a permanent deal and the Gunners have permitted his departure on a free transfer.

While the Gunners will receive no transfer fee, they are set to free up his wages of around £180,000-a-week and that should help to meet the salary demands of future signings.

The north London giants have already landed the services of Willian on a free transfer and they are soon expected to confirm the arrival of Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille.

Dani Ceballos is also set to rejoin them on another loan deal from Real Madrid. He has been convinced to re-sign for the club by manager Mikel Arteta.