Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not available for next week’s Europa League final against Chelsea as he will not travel to Baku with Unai Emery’s squad.
The Armenia international’s safety was a concern due to the dispute between his country and host nation Azerbaijan.
The decision has since been made to omit Mkhitaryan from Emery’s travelling squad for the May 29 showpiece.
“We are very disappointed to announce that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be travelling with the squad for our UEFA Europa League final against Chelsea,” an Arsenal statement read.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
gossip
Transfer news LIVE: Hazard on joining Real Madrid, Sessegnon to leave Fulham
gossip
Chelsea transfer news live: Hazard addresses Blues fans following Real Madrid move
ALLEZ LES BLEUES
France sweep aside South Korea in opening match of 2019 Women's World Cup
PRICELESS POINT
Late Duffy header keeps Ireland unbeaten in Euro 2020 qualifying campaign
DEAL DONE
Real Madrid confirm Eden Hazard signing to end long-running transfer saga
THANK YOU
These Chelsea fans pour their hearts out for 'true legend' Eden Hazard
in the money
Hazard joins Real Madrid and will reportedly double his wages
LET'S GO
Women's World Cup opening ceremony: The best pictures from the party in Paris
ALL SEEMS REAL
Hazard shirts spotted at Real Madrid shop - number he will wear revealed
Protest
Why Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg is not playing for Norway at the World Cup
gossip
Tottenham transfer news live: Ryan Sessegnon to leave Fulham, Man United 'want' Dier
I'M FUL
Spurs target Ryan Sessegnon reportedly tells Fulham he wants to leave
“We have thoroughly explored all the options for Micki to be part of the squad but after discussing this with Micki and his family we have collectively agreed he will not be in our travelling party.
“We have written to UEFA expressing our deep concerns about this situation. Micki has been a key player in our run to the final so this is a big loss for us from a team perspective.
LIVE ON talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
- England Women vs Denmark Women (Saturday, 1pm) – talkSPORT
- Newport County vs Tranmere (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT
- Charlton vs Sunderland (Sunday, 3pm) – talkSPORT
“We’re also very sad that a player will miss out on a major European final in circumstances such as this, as it is something that comes along very rarely in a footballer’s career.
“Micki will continue to be part of our preparations until we depart for Baku at the weekend.”
Mkhitaryan released a statement of his own on social media platform Instagram.
He wrote: “Having considered all the current options, we had to take the tough decision for me not to travel with the squad to the Europa League final.
“It‘s the kind of game that doesn’t come along very often for us players and I must admit, it hurts me a lot to miss it. I will be cheering my teammates on! Let‘s bring it home.”
Unai Emery revealed Mkhitaryan took the decision to miss the final after debating his involvement with both the Arsenal manager and his family.
He further stated he had no right to force Mkhitaryan into participating even though he cannot call upon one of his key players for the final.
“I discussed this with Mkhitaryan,” Gunners boss Emery said. “It’s a very personal decision.
“He wants to play with the team, but he spoke with his family and decided not to go.
“It’s a very, very personal decision and we need to respect him. I don’t understand the political problems but I must respect (his decision).
“I cannot push him to come with us. These issues are out of my hands and I understand 100 per cent.”
UEFA later insisted that a ‘comprehensive security plan was in place for Mkhitaryan.
European football’s governing body said in a statement: “Working alongside Arsenal FC, UEFA sought and received assurances regarding the player’s safety in Azerbaijan from the highest authorities in the country.
getty
1
Mkhitaryan was previously given safety assurances by the Azerbaijani government, but it has been decided he will not travel for the match
“As a result of these guarantees, a comprehensive security plan was developed and given to the club.
“While the club acknowledges the efforts that UEFA and the Azeri government have gone to in this matter, we respect the personal decision not to travel with the player.”
The Azerbaijani football federation (AFFA) expressed their disappointment at Mkhitaryan’s decision not to travel for the Europa League final.
An AFFA spokesperson said: “We are disappointed to see the statement from Arsenal that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be travelling with his team to Baku to participate at the UEFA Europa League final against Chelsea next Wednesday.
“We very much regret this unwarranted decision taken, as we understand, collectively by Arsenal, the player and his family. Whilst we recognise the right to make a personal decision not to travel, we would like to reiterate that as the host country Azerbaijan has provided all the necessary guarantees required by UEFA to ensure the personal safety of Mr Mkhitaryan.
“There is no reason whatsoever to put in question the seriousness of these guarantees provided by Azerbaijan. Over the past decade a large number of Armenian athletes have taken part in various international sports events in Azerbaijan without any issues.
“Finally, we believe that this regretful decision will not affect in any manner the quality and the attraction of this great match. We look forward to welcoming both teams in Baku shortly.”
talkSPORT will bring you live coverage of the Europa League final in Baku between Chelsea and Arsenal on Wednesday, May 29
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Unai Emery refuses to force Arsenal midfielder into Baku trip for Europa League final vs Chelsea Mkhitaryan will not be available for the Baku showpiece due to political
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Unai Emery refuses to force Arsenal
"Micki will continue to be part of our preparations until we depart for Baku at the weekend." Arsenal's decision to leave Mkhitaryan out of the squad for the Europa League final stems from a
Arsenal fans launch petition to get Europa League final moved
Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not play in the Europa League final against Chelsea on 29 May. It is understood the Armenian, 30, feared for his safety on the pitch in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 'We should boycott the Europa League
I see that the Arsenal player Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be travelling to Baku for the Europa League final,In my opinion, no one should travel from both Chelsea and Arsenal in support of Henrikh, the final should never have been in Baku in the first place. #arsenal #chelsea — PAllen9291 (@PAllen9291) May 21, 2019
Arsenal news : Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Why Arsenal ace will MISS
Chelsea vs Arsenal: The Henrikh Mkhitaryan situation is a disgrace entirely of Uefa's own making. Mkhitaryan's situation is a culmination of the many problems with staging the Europa League final
Arsenal confirm Bellerin, Ramsey and Holding will be in Baku
Arsenal fans have launched an online petition to get the Europa League final moved from Azerbaijan to London with midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan not attending for safety reasons. The '#BoycottBaku
Chelsea vs Arsenal, Europa League final: The Henrikh
Footage has emerged showing Azerbaijani police stopping Arsenal fans wearing Henrikh Mkhitaryan shirts on the streets in Baku, ahead of the Europa League final against Chelsea. Mkhitaryan chose
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Unai Emery refuses to force Arsenal midfielder into Baku trip for Europa League final vs Chelsea fpnews May 22, 2019 0 Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not available for next week's Europa League final against Chelsea as he will not travel to Baku with Unai Emery's squad.
Every single way UEFA failed Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Arsenal
Hector Bellerin, Aaron Ramsey and Rob Holding will be in Baku as fans as Arsenal aim to overcome Chelsea in the Europa League final. Unai Emery's Arsenal are bidding to land only the club's third European trophy on Wednesday evening in faraway Azerbaijan.
Europa League final: Arsenal fans wearing Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Every single way UEFA failed Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Arsenal over the Europa League final fiasco. Arsenal news includes a detailed look at the journey that led to Mkhitaryan being ruled out of the trip to Baku
Henrikh Mkhitaryan Will Miss Arsenal Europa League Final In
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Unai Emery refuses to force Arsenal
No comments:
Post a Comment