Arsene Wenger is more sympathetic to players than Jose Mourinho, according to Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who characterised the Manchester United boss as being "very hard" on his team.

Mkhitaryan swapped the Red Devils for the Gunners last month, in a move that saw Chile international Alexis Sanchez head in the opposite direction.

The former Borussia Dortmund star has made a splash in his brief spell with Wenger's men, and spoke about the differences between the Frenchman and the Portuguese ahead of Arsenal's weekend derby against Tottenham.

"Mourinho required a lot from the players," Mkhitaryan told SFR Sport on Friday. "A lot, he was very hard.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has had an instant impact since joining Arsenal in January. Getty

"Arsene Wenger is friendlier, he understands, can think about players' situations, is calmer. That's the difference."

Signed for around £37 million in the summer of 2016, Mkhitaryan helped United to three trophies during his time at Old Trafford, which included scoring a goal in the Europa League final triumph over Ajax last spring.

After a hot start, he lost his place in the starting XI toward the middle of the current campaign. But the Armenia international is proud of his body of work at the club.

"I think I left an impression in Manchester, although I had difficulties," he added.

"We won three trophies in a year and a half, it's not every club that does that.

"We won the Europa League final, I scored a goal. If people say that I have not had enough success it is their opinion, but I can say that I had a lot of success at the club."