Arsenal to prioritise safety over Henrikh Mkhitaryan's Azerbaijan visa for Europa League game

Banned: Armenians are currently not allowed to enter Azerbaijan
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
James Benge2 September 2018

Unai Emery hopes Henrikh Mkhitaryan is able to travel to Azerbaijan despite the conflict between the country and the playmaker’s native Armenia.

Arsenal are due to travel to Baku on October 4 for a Uefa Europa League group stage tie against Azerbaijani champions Qarabag.

Whether Mkhitaryan is able to play in that match remains in some doubt due to the ongoing dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, a conflict dating back to the early 20th century.

Armenians are currently banned from entering Azerbaijan so Mkhitaryan would require an exception to get a visa. In 2015, the then-Borussia Dortmund player opted not to travel for a Europa League game against Gabala, citing security concerns.

Emery is hoping for a different solution this time, telling reporters: "I would like that he can [travel] with us. And this problem, if we can together arrange [a solution], it's better. But I have not yet spoken with him."

A spokesperson for Arsenal told Standard Sport: “Safety and security of 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.”

Uefa confirmed that it would support any visa application for Mkhitaryan.

"It is a standard procedure for Uefa to send letters of support to associations, clubs or embassies in order to obtain visa for players in order to be able to travel to another country and play in Uefa competition matches,” a spokesperson said.

Significantly the Europa League final will also be played in Baku. Should Arsenal make it that far, Mkhitaryan will likely be a key player for Emery.

The Nagorno-Karabakh region has been controlled by the Azerbaijan military since a 1994 ceasefire ended a six-year period of conflict with Armenia. Tensions grew in 2016, with clashes along the line of contact, and have remained high since.

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