Henrikh Mkhitaryan: No issues whatsoever to prevent Arsenal star from travelling to Baku for Europa League final, insists Azerbaijan official

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: No issues whatsoever to prevent Arsenal star from travelling to Baku for Europa League final, insists Azerbaijan official
There are no issues whatsoever to prevent Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan from travelling to Baku for the Europa League final against Chelsea, Azerbaijans UK ambassador has told talkSPORT.Tahir Taghizade insists the Armenia captains personal safety has been guaranteed and has suggested the Gunners star is actually making a political statement by not taking part in the match.Arsenal have confirmed they will be without Mkhitaryan for the all-English European final, with the 30-year-old refusing to travel to Baku over the conflict between his country and host nation Azerbaijan.Getty3

Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be a big miss for Arsenal in their all-English European final against Chelsea

The same political tensions saw him skip the Gunners clash against Qarabag in Baku earlier this season, while they also prevented him from playing for Borussia Dortmund in a Europa League game against Gabala in northern Azerbaijan in October 2015.UEFA have been heavily criticised for their decision to stage the final in Baku, with Arsenal and Chelsea fans also experiencing issues with travel and acquiring tickets to the match.In a statement, the Gunners said: 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.But Taghizade told talkSPORT on Wednesday that Azerbaijani officials have given the club and player every assurance over his safety.Our reaction? The right word would be disappointment, the ambassador told talkSPORT host Jim White. Obviously thats his decision his, his familys and the clubs but we are disappointed in it.We did our upmost to assure his safety would be guaranteed and the safety of anybody travelling to Baku, as well as the fans, team crews and other players.There is a suggestion Mkhitaryan could be making a personal political statement by not travelling to Baku, rather than having genuine concerns for his safety.Azerbaijan and the midfielders native Armenia remain in conflict and the region of Nagorno-Karabakh which sits within Azerbaijans geographical borders is still disputed between the two neighbouring nations.And Taghizade believes this may be the real reason behind Mkhitaryans choice to stay away from the Azerbaijani capital.Getty3

Mkhitaryan is the captain of Armenia’s national team and has stayed away from playing in Azerbaijan in recent years

He said: Do I think he is making a political statement? I am afraid so.Honestly, there is a concern here that what Mkhitaryan has done is not connected to his ethnicity or anything hes doing as a pro footballer, but there is an issue.He has visited Nagorno-Karabakh, an occupied portion of Azerbaijan, at least once and that was an unsanctioned visit.“Those people are usually black-listed in Azerbaijan, which means they are not able to get a visa or travel to Azerbaijan.But in this case, Mkhitaryans case has been settled and there is no issue whatsoever.“There is absolutely no problem for Azerbaijan to receive Mkhitaryan and to provide for his physical safety and security. His physical safety is assured by every word I say.getty3

The 30-year-old has continued to train with the Arsenal squad ahead of the final but, for the time being, will not travel to Baku

Its ultimately his decision, but if we are looking for reasons to justify a decision that maybe longer in the making, thats something different.Taghizade has also insisted he is ready and willing to talk to Arsenal and Mkhitaryan personally to allay their fears for safety and encourage the Gunners star to travel for the cup final.Absolutely I would talk to them, at any moment, he added.If there is any contact I would be delighted to do that. If there is any chance of alleviating his concerns and doubts that are overshadowing his decision making, I would be delighted.I think this will be a great celebration of a great game. I have no dog in this fight because I am neither a fan of Chelsea nor Arsenal, but it will be a great celebration and I think his participation can only make it shine brighter.

Listen back to talkSPORTs interview with Azerbaijans UK ambassador Tahir Taghizade IN FULL above

---

Dec 03, 2018 · Jose Mourinho has claimed Manchester United will need "almost a miracle" to finish in the top four this season and admitted Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic "do not know how to play in
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho reveals his

---

we'll miss you Latics boss Paul Cook also plans to withdraw the 19-year-old to a standing ovation at the DW Stadium Chelsea loanee Reece James will captain Wigan in his final game for the club. The 19-year-old full-back has been a revelation for the Latics, who have already ensured their Championship survival ahead of Sunday's
~ Chelsea loanee Reece James to be given Wigan captaincy

---

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has conceded that influential midfielder N'Golo Kante has only a "fifty-fifty" chance of being fit for Wednesday night's Europa League final against Arsenal
Bad Breath: Causes & Treatment Options (Full Eps)

---

In the 1971-72 FA Cup, a non-league side achieved a Level 1 giant killing that was voted "best FA Cup tie ever" in a 2007 poll by The Observer newspaper. Non-league Hereford United was trailing First Division Newcastle United 0-1 with less than seven minutes left in the Third Round Proper replay , when Hereford's Ronnie Radford scored the

---

West Bromwich Albion Sheffield United live score (and video online live stream*) starts on 23.2.2019. at 17:30 UTC time at The Hawthorns stadium, West Bromwich, England in Championship - England. Here on SofaScore livescore you can find all West Bromwich Albion vs Sheffield United previous results sorted by their H2H matches. Links to West
Full coverage and free stream for Steel City Derby - SportsAlert
sportsalert.org/2019/03/04/full-coverage-and-free-stream-for-steel-city-derby/
Sheffield Wednesday v Sheffield United: How to listen. We will have in-depth coverage of the match on talkSPORT 2, with our build-up beginning at 7pm. Nigel Adderley and Simon Grayson will be on commentary duty and to tune in click here for the live stream or the radio player below.
talkSPORT coverage of Aston Villa vs Derby: Championship play

---

confirmed Hill is widely regarded as the club's most successful manager ever Keith Hill has been sacked as manager of Rochdale, the League One club have confirmed. Hill was in his second spell in charge at Spotland, taking over again in 2013 having previously managed the club between 2006 and 2011. The 49-year-old has been […]
Rochdale sack manager Keith Hill | Football News | Sky Sports

---

Sergio Ramos next club odds: Real Madrid captain linked to Juventus, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain Sergio Ramos is set to quit Real Madrid this summer after falling out with Florentino Perez. The Los talkSPORT - Published 1 hour ago: Man United hatch plan to convince Paul Pogba to stay - report
Man United transfer news: Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos

---

Roy Keane vs Mick McCarthy: Clinton Morrison's brilliant

---

Christian Eriksen: Manchester United told they will have to

---

Police are investigating an alleged assault by Fleetwood boss Joey Barton on Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel following Saturday's game at Oakwell. Sky Sports News understands South Yorkshire
Fleetwood boss Joey Barton investigated by police for

---

The Premier League's biggest clubs - Manchester which Premier League club is the most popular according to Twitter contribute to the popularity of Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea across
One player every Premier League club should cash in on to

---

MARK HUGHES is set to keep his job at Southampton for at least the next two matches. Sparky is under huge pressure after Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Fulham left Saints in the drop zone having won
Mauricio Pochettino is finding Southampton's struggles hard

---

Celtic news: Neil Lennon confirmed as manager of Scottish

---