Henrikh Mkhitaryan: We intend to work very hard

After returning to training, Shakhtar’s top scorer in 2012 was in high spirits. Henrikh Mkhitaryan gave an interview to FC Shakhtar.  

- I arrived in a festive mood; I was missing everyone a lot! I think that the winter holidays benefited the team. We intend to work very hard in order to play at a high level and get the results in the second part of the season.

- Do you feel a burst of energy that has been accumulating during a month?

- Indeed, I feel very fresh. And then we'll see.

- When did you arrive at the base?

- 7 January. So I had enough time to get some sleep, gain strength and prepare for training.

- We know that during your visit to Armenia, you were not sitting idly by – you were often training. Tell us about it, please.

- Yes, it's true. On 4, 5 and 6 January I trained in the fitness gym, and on 7 January I flew to Donetsk. I was jogging, training in a gym a little.

- How was your holiday?

- Thank you, very good. I spent it with my family and relatives. As a tradition, starting from the evening of 31 December and ... probably till 5 January, we receive guests and visit the relatives. Everything was great, just as I had planned. During the New Year celebration I stayed at home.

- The award for the best Armenian player, which you received for the second consecutive year, also additionally pleased you, didn’t it?

- It is always nice to get an award, but that should not stop you – there is still a lot of work. You have to go a long way. In general, of course, I am grateful to those who believed in my strength and recognized me as the best one.

- And finally: What news from the world of football this month have you found surprising or shocking?

- None yet.