Ex Arsenal Veteran To Start For Inter Milan Vs Sassuolo – 23rd Consecutive Start | OneFootball

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is set to make his 23rd consecutive start in all competitions for Inter Milan against Sassuolo this evening.

Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, report that the Armenian will keep his place in the starting eleven for the Serie A clash.

In terms of outfield players, no one has played more minutes for Inter in Serie A than Mkhitaryan.

The 35-year-old has started all but one match in the league.

That came away to Salernitana in the fall. And Mkhitaryan did come onto the pitch as a substitute in that match.

Otherwise, Mkhitaryan has started every single one of Inter’s matches.

If the arrival of Davide Frattesi last summer seemed as though it might mean that Mkhitaryan would be phased out of the team, the reality has been quite the opposite.

The former Roma and Arsenal midfielder has kept Frattesi out of the team.

It is not hard to see why Inter coach Simone Inzaghi selects Mkhitaryan week in and week out.

The 35-year-old is a player who really stitches together the entire midfield trio.

Mkhitaryan is proficient in the attacking phase, not surprising considering his history playing as a winger or attacking midfielder.

Mkhitaryan may not have scored for Inter since his decisive brace against AC Milan in September.

However, the Armenian has chipped in with eight assists in the league.

Moreover, Mkhitaryan is much more than just an attacking contributor.

The veteran midfielder also provides plenty of defensive cover. His positional awareness is vital for allowing players like Federico Dimarco and Alessandro Bastoni to bomb forward.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan To Make 23rd Consecutive Start For Inter Vs Sassuolo

And then Mkhitaryan’s remarkable physical fitness has allowed the 35-year-old to start week in and week out.

Despite his age and constant playing time, the former Arsenal man often looks to be the player on the pitch with the most energy.

Mkhitaryan’s retirement from international duty has certainly helped in this respect.

The Armenian has been able to focus on his fitness at club level.

And once again, the Gazzetta report, Mkhitaryan will be in the starting eleven.

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi is likely to make quite a few rotations to his starting eleven at the Mapei Arena.

But Mkhitaryan will be one player who keeps his place in the lineup.