Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1120087
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 22 MAY 2019 21 SPORTS SNOOKER Arsenal's Henrikh Mkhitaryan to miss Europa League final against Chelsea ARSENAL midfielder Henrikh Mkhi- taryan will not play in the Europa League final against Chelsea on 29 May. It is understood the Armenian, 30, feared for his safety on the pitch in Baku, Azerbaijan. "Having considered all current options, we had to take the tough decision for me not to travel with the squad to the Eu- ropa League final," said Mkhitaryan. "It's the kind of game that doesn't come along very often and I admit, it hurts a lot to miss it." As a result of political tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Mkhitaryan has missed club matches played in Azer- baijan in the past. "We have written to Uefa expressing our deep concerns about this situation," read an Arsenal statement. "We have thoroughly explored all the options for Micki to be part of the squad but after discussing this with Micki and his family we have collectively agreed he will not be in our travelling party. "Micki has been a key player in our run to the final so this is a big loss for us from a team perspective. "We're also very sad that a player will miss out on a major European final in circumstances such as this, as it is some- thing that comes along very rarely in a footballer's career." Uefa responded to Arsenal with a state- ment that said: "Working alongside Ar- senal FC, Uefa sought and received as- surances regarding the player's safety in Azerbaijan from the highest authorities in the country. "As a result of these guarantees, a com- prehensive security plan was developed and given to the club. "While the club acknowledges the ef- forts that Uefa and the Azeri govern- ment have gone to in this matter, we re- spect the personal decision not to travel with the player." The Azerbaijan FA said they were "dis- appointed" that Mkhitaryan would not be travelling Henrikh Mkhitaryan has played 11 games in the Europa League for Arsenal this season