NO MIKI TRIBUTE IN BAKU

ARSENAL players’ plans to show support for henrikh Mkhitaryan during the europa League final have been blocked by strict UeFa rules.

the squad had spoken about how they could show support for their armenian team-mate, who feels he is not able to travel to azerbaijan for security reasons.

Wearing shirts with Mkhitaryan’s name on the back for the warm-up was discussed. But UeFa insiders have confirmed any such moves are prohibited by strict rules.

the kit the players wear during the game — as well as any potential post-match winners’ t-shirts — are subject to approval by european football’s governing body, too.

staff at arsenal are wary of making a statement about Mkhitaryan in Baku, where there are long-standing political tensions with armenia. they do not want to invite hostility, so it appears the final will pass without a tribute to the 30-year-old, who will be watching at home.

Meanwhile, shkodran Mustafi has warned his fellow defenders they must stay focused against chelsea after an error-prone season.

Mustafi, one of arsenal’s main culprits throughout the campaign, said: ‘it’s going to be a game where one mistake punishes you and that’s why we’ve got to be very careful.

‘however, when we try to play out from the back, people say, “Why aren’t they just kicking it out?” But that is not our game. the coach prefers that we make mistakes but still play our game. you are not going to win without an identity and this is how we want to play.’