We are very disappointed to announce that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be travelling with the squad for our Uefa Europa League final against Chelsea.
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.
We have written to Uefa expressing our deep concerns about this situation. 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 something that comes along very rarely in a footballer’s career.
Micki will continue to be part of our preparations until we depart for Baku at the weekend.
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Fack you UEFA, i hope the club grows a pair and refuses to play in Baku
Mkhitaryan out of EL Final due to Safety
posted on 21/5/19
comment by Grand Cannon (U18697)
posted 32 minutes ago
Part of the problem for travelling fans is the sudden skyrocketing air ticket and accommodation prices. For instance, tickets to Madrid, which normally cost around £100, have skyrocketed to around £1,500 around the CL final days. Tickets to Baku are normally less than £300 but now cost around £1,400 for the final. That's down to business models.
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agreed.
posted on 21/5/19
Just read up on this. So some people on one side of an imaginary line dont like some of the people on the other side of an imaginary line.
Sigh.
posted on 21/5/19
This issue is bigger than football. We are well within our rights to boycott. Both teams should tbh.
posted on 21/5/19
comment by Serial WUManiser™© - #YNWA #Bercow4PM (U1410)
posted 1 hour, 44 minutes ago
This is an utter disgrace. I understand CL is essential for our inmediate future but we need to take a stance here. UEFA firstly choosing such an inaccessible venue was bad enough, but them siding with Azerbaijan in this matter is the last straw. Arsenal should refuse to travel. End of.
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100 % agree with you. They prevent a footballer to do his job. This should be for a civil court.
posted on 21/5/19
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Serial WUManiser™© - #YNWA #Bercow4PM (U1410)
posted 1 hour, 44 minutes ago
This is an utter disgrace. I understand CL is essential for our inmediate future but we need to take a stance here. UEFA firstly choosing such an inaccessible venue was bad enough, but them siding with Azerbaijan in this matter is the last straw. Arsenal should refuse to travel. End of.
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100 % agree with you. They prevent a footballer to do his job. This should be for a civil court.
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Theyre more or less at war and have an extremely poor human rights record.
I imagine a civil action would be filed under 'Not one fvck given'.
posted on 21/5/19
Baku is a million miles away from a third world place. They have third world laws still, in regards to jailing people who have been to Armenia or possess Armenian documents.
posted on 21/5/19
I'd compare Baku to any city in the Emirates. Oil rich.
posted on 21/5/19
comment by HB Fash (U21935)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
comment by Grand Cannon (U18697)
posted 32 minutes ago
Part of the problem for travelling fans is the sudden skyrocketing air ticket and accommodation prices. For instance, tickets to Madrid, which normally cost around £100, have skyrocketed to around £1,500 around the CL final days. Tickets to Baku are normally less than £300 but now cost around £1,400 for the final. That's down to business models.
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agreed.
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Idiot.
posted on 21/5/19
Completely understand his decision and at least he is consistent because I don't think he has ever played in Azerbaijan either.
This isn't just a football matter though, this is a problem with the world as it is today unfortunately. Society is an absolute joke sometimes. Some countries just live in the 1800's.
posted on 21/5/19
comment by JustYourAverageFan (U21016)
posted 2 hours, 28 minutes ago
Completely understand his decision and at least he is consistent because I don't think he has ever played in Azerbaijan either.
This isn't just a football matter though, this is a problem with the world as it is today unfortunately. Society is an absolute joke sometimes. Some countries just live in the 1800's.
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There are some communities/regions of the UK that are just the same.
Trust me. I've lived in some of them.