Mkhitaryan could miss trip to Azerbaijan over political tensions

Henrikh Mkhitaryan may be unable to play for Arsenal in their Europa League meeting with Qarabag because of political tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Mkhitaryan, the Armenia international, could also miss the final – if Arsenal progress that far – because it will be held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

There has been a long-standing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-karabakh territory, and relations were worsened in 2016 when at least 200 people were killed in clashes between the two countries.

Mkhitaryan did not travel to Azerbaijan with Borussia Dortmund in 2015 because of security concerns, despite the Azerbaijani embassy saying he would be granted a visa on arrival. Hansjoachim Watzke, the Dortmund chief executive, said at the time that Mkhitaryan was “not upset to stay behind”.

Unai Emery, the Arsenal head coach, said he was yet to speak with Mkhitaryan about the issue but added that he hoped the midfielder would be available to play against Qarabag, who are based in Baku.

“I would like him to stay with us if we can,” Emery said. “If we can arrange this, I think it is better.”

In a statement, an Arsenal spokesman said: “Safety and security of all our players and staff is always a top priority. We will be looking into this situation, talk to the player and make a decision after that.”

The Armenian athletes who competed in the 2015 European Games in Baku were granted visas after an exception was made to restrictions on entering the country. The Armenian delegates received a hostile welcome during the tournament’s opening ceremony.

A Uefa spokesman said: “It is standard procedure for Uefa to send letters of support to associations, clubs or embassies to obtain visas for players in order to be able to travel to another country and play in Uefa competition matches.”

Arsenal face Qarabag in their second match in this season’s Europa League on Oct 4. The trip to Azerbaijan presents Emery and his players with a 5,000-mile round trip in between league matches against Watford and Fulham.

Arsenal have also been drawn alongside Vorskla Poltava, a Ukrainian side, and Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon in Group E.

In total, they will travel 10,000 miles in the group stages alone as Emery looks to win the competition for the fourth time in his managerial career. The Spaniard lifted the Europa League title with Sevilla in three consecutive seasons from 2014 to 2016.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been drawn in Group L alongside Greek side PAOK Salonika, Belarusian team BATE Borisov and MOL Vidi of Hungary.

Maurizio Sarri, the Chelsea manager, said that he did not “want to talk about the Europa League” until he had time to analyse their opponents.

Emery will hope to put talk over Mkhitaryan’s situation behind him as Arsenal travel to face Cardiff City tomorrow. Mesut Ozil, who missed last weekend’s victory over West Ham United with illness, is expected to return to the side.

The Arsenal head coach did not deny reports that he had tried to convince Ozil to join him at Paris Stgermain last season, before the German had signed a lucrative new contract in north London.

Emery has warned Ozil that he needs to be prepared to play on the wing, as well as in his preferred central attacking role.

“It’s about where he is better for us and where he is better thinking also about the opposition’s style to play,” Emery said. “Our demands are high, but I want to ask every player every day to give us more, but not just Mesut, the squad.”