Arsenal could be without Henrikh Mkhitaryan for their Europa League final clash against London rivals Chelsea in Azerbaijan on May 29 reports Completesports.com.
Mkhitaryan faces the disappointment of missing final given his standing as one of Armenia’s most high-profile figures and the historical bad blood between the two nations.
The two countries have had no diplomatic relations since the Nagorno-Karabakh War, which ended in 1994. Mkhitaryan would be required to apply to the Azerbaijani government for a permit to make the trip to Baku.
Assurances over Mkhitaryan’s security were sought with UEFA last week, because of the ongoing political tensions with Arsenal expected to make a decision early next week, but they are not optimistic about the 30-year-old being able to make the trip according to the Guardian.
The midfielder missed the trip to face Qarabag in Baku earlier this season because of fears for his safety amid ongoing political tension between his native Armenia and host nation Azerbaijan.
In 2015, Mkhitaryan did not travel to Azerbaijan to face Gabala while with Borussia Dortmund despite being told by UEFA that he would get a visa.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Petr Cech is set to play his last game in the Europa League final before next Thursday.
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