Remarkably, Arsenal could be entering February in a better state than they entered January - despite losing Alexis Sanchez.The Gunners could have lost the Chilean on a free transfer in the summer but, instead, have got Henrikh Mkhitaryan in return. And it looks as though Mkhitaryan’s former Borussia Dortmund teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will soon be joining him at the Emirates.Not bad.While the Sanchez and Mkhitaryan swap-deal took a few days to be confirmed, it was finally officially announced on Monday night.And on Tuesday, Mkhitaryan took part in his first training session as an Arsenal player.And the north London club completed the final part of the transfer by announcing that he would wear the number 7 shirt - the shirt Sanchez wore before his move to United.

WHY MKHITARYAN CAN'T WEAR 7 IN EUROPA LEAGUE

However, while Mkhitaryan will wear the number 7 shirt in the Premier League, he won’t be wearing that number in the Europa League.

Why?

Well, Arsenal revealed all on their official website on Tuesday.

“The No 7 shirt was vacated by Alexis this month but, because our former forward wore the number during our group-stage win against Cologne back in September, UEFA rules state that Mkhitaryan must wear a different number for the remainder of our Europa League campaign.
 
“This number will be confirmed soon.”

Interesting.

WENGER ON MKHITARYAN

Stupid rules aside, Wenger is delighted to add Mkhitaryan to his squad as they look to have a successful second half to the campaign.

"We lose a world-class player and we gain a world-class player," said Wenger.

"How efficient that will work, it will be down to the performances of both players.

"Overall, I think Mkhitaryan has the qualities to integrate into our game, which is based a lot on movement and technical quality. He has a good team attitude as well and I am confident that it will work.

"He can play in all kinds of positions. On the flanks, through the middle as well. I think he is very versatile and it should help us be efficient going forward.

"He can be very penetrating with his passing and with his runs, and he knows what it is to fight at the top level."