There was a feeling during last month’s protracted transfer saga that both Arsenal and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were trying to make the best of a bad situation, existing as collateral damage in Alexis Sanchez’s pursuit of a move to Manchester United.

Sanchez’s determination to leave made the Gunners vulnerable, especially given the limited time left on his contract, while United’s willingness to discuss including Mkhitaryan in a swap deal confirmed the 29-year-old had no meaningful future at Old Trafford.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted his concern Mkhitaryan may have been left scarred by his treatment under Jose Mourinho; having started 14 of United first 18 games in all competitions, that figure dropped to just two of the final 15, compounding Mourinho’s public criticism of the playmaker.

The United manager could not resist a parting shot, either. “Could he perform better with us? Could I take more from his talent? Maybe,” he said once the deal had gone through. “Could he give a little more also to adapt to us? Maybe. But I don’t have regrets.”

Yet in his first in-depth interview with non-club media since joining Arsenal, Mkhitaryan was in no mood to cast aspersions in any direction as he prepared for his first north London derby.

“I don’t want to find excuses,” he said. “I don’t want to blame anyone but I am happy that this [half of the] season passed already. I am starting a new chapter in my life, in my football career and I am very happy to be here.

“I will be pleased to achieve more than I have done in Manchester, of course. I don’t have anything to prove to anyone. I just have to enjoy myself, do my best and at the end I will see where I can reach.”

It is perhaps easy to overlook Mkhitaryan’s impact at United given the nature of his departure. After a slow start in which Mourinho questioned his level of fitness, Mkhitaryan finished his first season in England scoring 12 goals in 45 matches, playing a key role in United’s Europa League success and producing one of the goals of the season with a stunning scorpion kick against Sunderland.

Unable to salvage a dismal collective Arsenal display on debut as a late substitute against Swansea last week, Mkhitaryan marked his first start with a hat-trick of assists as Arsenal produced one of their most rampant attacking performances of the season in thrashing Everton 5-1.

It was precisely this exhibition of vision and composure which prompted his agent Mino Raiola, admittedly rarely shy in promoting his clients, to claim “Sanchez is part of Mkhi’s deal, not the other way around”, as the prevailing narrative had dictated.

The move was no marriage of convenience, however, as quickly became clear once quotes from Mkhitaryan dating back to 2009 resurfaced, revealing his desire to play for Arsenal.

“I have said that even earlier, not only in that interview,” he said. “Why? Because I loved the way that Arsenal were playing at the time, I loved the way Arsene Wenger was treating his players, I loved the way that everything was happening around the club.

“So, it was just a dream, it was a drive to say ‘why not? I’m supporting Arsenal and I want to play for that club as well’.”

The sense that Arsenal could yet be the making of Mkhitaryan was enhanced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund, affording the duo to reunite a deadly partnership which yielded a staggering 121 goals and 80 assists for the Bundesliga side between 2013 and 2016.

Aubameyang revealed his former team-mate was in contact prior to moving to the Emirates Stadium and Mkhitaryan said: “I won’t mention all the details because it is not fair but yes, when I signed for Arsenal, I was in touch with him saying ‘so, the first step is done, now we are waiting for the second one’.

“I think it could only be in a dream that we could join another club other than Dortmund but I am very happy for that. I have known him very well, he is one of my best friends and the best team-mate I have ever had.

“I am very happy to have him here and I think all the fans are happy to see him in an Arsenal shirt. What can I say? I love playing with him. I can understand him from step one and hopefully for the next games we are going to achieve more.”

After just two training sessions together, they rekindled a sufficient level of understanding for Mkhitaryan to lay on Aubameyang’s first Arsenal goal but Tottenham will pose an altogether tougher proposition at Wembley ion Saturday than a meek Everton side managed last weekend.

Mkhitaryan said: “I have read a lot about the derby, about playing against Tottenham and it is not the first time I have seen or heard that because I have been in the Premier League for quite a long time so I know the importance of the game. I know the importance of the derby and I am ready for it.”

An opportunity for Mkhitaryan to show he has indeed found the perfect home at Arsenal is at hand.