Henrikh Mkhitaryan of FC Arsenal must fear for his participation in the final of the Europa League against FC Chelsea. The Armenian might have to stay away from the meeting in Baku for political reasons.
Mkhitaryan had not travelled to the away game against Qarabag in the group phase of the Europa League after his homeland Armenia and Azerbaijan continued to have a more than tense relationship.
Arsenal should have obtained special permission from the local government in the first round to allow Mkhitaryan to enter the country. In the end, the club decided not to do so and coach Unai Emery did not call his offensive player into the squad.
BVB hoped for visas for Henrikh Mkhitaryan in 2015
Whether the Gunners will try before the final is still open. Borussia Dortmund had hoped for a visa with UEFA in 2015, but ultimately had to play for Gabala without the player.
The DailyMail also reports that the club has security concerns about appointing Mkhitaryan to its squad. As one of the best-known Armenians in Europe, he could be in danger on his away journey, the Gunners suspect.
