Mkhitaryan to miss Baku tie over fears for his safety
HENRIKH MKHITARYAN will miss Arsenal’s europa League clash against Qarabag this week due to political tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The Gunners have decided against trying to obtain international clearance for the Armenia midfielder. Mkhitaryan would be required to apply to the Azerbaijani government for a permit to make the trip to Baku.
As one of Armenia’s most highprofile figures, there would be considerable safety risks if Mkhitaryan were to go to Azerbaijan given the long-running conflict between the two countries over a disputed area of land.
Arsenal have decided to leave their midfielder at home but will face the same problem should they reach the europa League final, which will be staged in Baku.
This week Unai emery will make another significant break from the Arsene Wenger era by holding his final training session before Thursday night’s match in Azerbaijan rather than in London.
Wenger, towards the end of his reign at Arsenal, would insist his players train at their London Colney HQ the morning before european fixtures.
But for his first european away game in charge of the Gunners, emery’s squad will train in the Olympic Stadium in Baku tomorrow night.
It is common practice for away clubs to train at the stadium the night before european fixtures to help players get used to the pitch and surroundings.
Wenger, though, always felt this was unnecessary and preferred to hold his final training session in more familiar surroundings.