Arsenal news includes UEFA's response to the Armenian international's absence from the Gunners squad that will travel to Baku
UEFA insist that they presented Arsenal with a "comprehensive safety plan" over Henrikh Mkhitaryan after the Armenian international opted not to travel to Azerbaijan for the Europa League final.
Arsenal confirmed earlier today that Mkhitaryan would play no part in the final in Baku next Wednesday as he and the club felt his safety could not be guaranteed.
There are no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan due to a long-running dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenians are not usually allowed to enter Azerbaijan, though Mkhitaryan would have been granted a visa had he chosen to travel.
Mkhitaryan has twice previously opted not to take part in games in Azerbaijan, including earlier this season when Arsenal played a Europa League group stage game against Qarabag in Baku.
Within hours of qualifying for the Europa League final Arsenal expressed their concern to UEFA over Mkhitaryan's availability, asking for security guarantees that they ultimately felt were not forthcoming.
UEFA insist that they and the final organisers had "received assurances... from the highest authorities in the country".
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