Arsenal misfit Henrikh Mkhitaryan wants Mikel Arteta to allow him to sign for AS Roma permanently.

The 31-year-old has been on loan with the Giallorossi since last summer, after failing to impress in north London following his move from Manchester United in January 2018.

The Armenian made the move south from Old Trafford in a swap agreement, with the truculent Alexis Sanchez moving the other way – in a deal both clubs can look at with great disappointment.

Mkhitaryan underachieved at Arsenal to the extent that previous boss Unai Emery moved him on loan to the Serie A team from Italy’s capital – where he notched six goals in 17 appearances across all competitions until the coronavirus pandemic halted life across the globe, including all forms of sport.

The midfield playmaker revealed he does not intend to play for Arsenal again, preferring to ply his trade in Italy when football resumes – and has asked the Gunners to allow him to join Roma permanently.

“My time in London is over," he told Corriere dello Sport

"I hope you manage to find an agreement with Rome because my desire is to stay."

Roma boss Paulo Fonseca has already insisted he wants the Arsenal loanee to stay at the Stadio Olympico – but added the two clubs must come to an agreement which satisfies both parties.

“I’ve already said it and I’ll say it again: I want Mkhitaryan to stay. Henrikh also wants to stay," the Portuguese boss said in April.

“However, it must be said that everything is on pause right now.

"We still need to talk to Arsenal. I want to keep working with him. He’s a great player and a great man.”