Henrikh Europa trip fear
SAFTEY: Mkhitaryan HENRIKH MKHITARYAN could miss Arsenal’s Europa League trip to Qarabag because of political tensions between his homeland of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Gunners have been drawn with Sporting Lisbon, Ukrainian side Vorskla and Azeri champions Qarabag in Group E.
Tensions continue between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, with a ceasefire declared in
1994 after fighting erupted several years earlier.
The problems meant the former Manchester United midfielder did not travel with Borussia Dortmund to a Europa League game against Gabala in October
2015, with the German club’s chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke citing “safety concerns”.
Tough
After being asked about Mkhitaryan, UEFA said: “It is a standard procedure for UEFA to send letters of support to associations, clubs or embassies in order to obtain visas for players in order to be able to travel to another country and play in UEFA competition matches.”
Chelsea face a tough job in Group L, as they return to Europe’s second-tier competition for the first time since they lifted the trophy in 2013.
They face Greek Super League runners-up PAOK Salonika, BATE Borisov of Belarus and Hungarian side Vidi.
Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic have been drawn alongside RB Leipzig and Salzburg – two clubs owned by energy drink firm Red Bull.
Rosenborg complete Group B, with Celtic having already beaten the Norwegian champions in a Champions League qualifier this summer.
Glasgow rivals Rangers have the toughest-looking draw of the British quartet. They face Villarreal, Rapid Vienna and Spartak Moscow in Group G, as they return to a European group stage for the first time since the 2010-11 Champions League.
Steven Gerrard’s men overcame Shkupi, Osijek, Maribor, and Ufa in the play-offs.
ARSENAL: