Arsenal boss Unai Emery 'respects' Henrikh Mkhitaryan over Europa League final withdrawal

The Gunners revealed on Tuesday that Mkhitaryan will miss out on facing Chelsea later this month amid fears for his safety in relation to an ongoing dispute regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Emery had to make do without the Armenia captain earlier in the Europa League campaign when Arsenal faced FK Qarabag during the group stages.

The Spaniard said at his press conference: "It's bad news, but I cannot do anything about this issue.

The Azerbaijani government said on Monday that Mkhitaryan would be guaranteed safety in Baku, and Emery added: "I believe them, but this morning I spoke with him and it's a very personal decision.

"He wants to play and to help us, but he spoke to his family and they decided not to go. I spoke to him as I came from the Basque country and we also had a political problem that finished five or six years ago, so I can understand the decision.

"I cannot push him to come with us. I respect him, and for me it's very important that he could be there to help us with his qualities, but the issue is not in my hands, and I respect that 100 per cent."

Arsenal and Chelsea have only been granted 6,000 tickets each for the Europa League final, meaning that many regular match-going fans have missed out on seeing their club performing in a major European final.

Emery expressed sympathy for those London-based supporters who will not be able to attend next week, but expects a good atmosphere with a place in the Champions League next season at stake.

"I know that there will be supporters from countries closer to Baku," he added. "The stadium will be full.

"We are preparing this match like we did during an international break. The last nine days, we've had the focus very clear for the final. Each final is different and each moment is a chance for me create a new history.

"Here, our experience is maybe important sometimes, but each moment we must prepare with the players and each opposition is different. We must have big ambition and big motivation for this final.

"We have the opportunity to win a trophy and to win a place in the Champions League next year, so we must enjoy this moment."