Arsenal players Granit Xhaka and Sokratis Papastathopoulos have said that they want ‘to win the Europa League for Henrikh Mkhitaryan’, after the Armenia international decided against travelling to Baku for Wednesday night’s final against Chelsea.
Mkhitaryan made the decision not to travel due to safety reasons, because of the longstanding political tensions between his native Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Despite receiving assurances about his security from the Azerbaijani government, Mkhitaryan decided he wanted to remain in London, with Unai Emery now without a player who has featured heavily in Arsenal’s run to the final.
On Monday Sokratis tweeted a picture of himself playing alongside Mkhitaryan with the caption ‘missing you bro’, and the Greece international commented in Baku that Arsenal are determined to win the final for their absent playmaker,
“We’ve had five or six years together, I know him very well, we are good friends,” said Sokratis.
1/32 Arsenal: Stay or go?
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2/32 Bernd Leno – Stay
After a steady integration and a few early errors, the German has settled in well as Arsenal’s No 1 keeper, playing exceptionally against Leicester last week and more than justifying his £25m price tag.
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3/32 Petr Cech – Retired
The 36-year-old will hang up his gloves at the end of the season. Arsenal are keen to keep him on in a coaching capacity, however, Cech may prefer a return to former club Chelsea.
PA
4/32 David Ospina – Keep
Napoli have an option to buy, however, the Colombian would prove a perfect, and most importantly free, back-up if the Italians do not take up that offer at a time when Arsenal need to focus on investing in other positions.
REUTERS
5/32 Emiliano Martinez – Sell
The Argentinian has impressed at Reading on loan. But at 26, he’s unlikely to ever establish himself as first-choice at Arsenal and the player is keen to move on and gain first-team football.
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6/32 Laurent Koscielny – Keep
A leadership figure at the club with one-year remaining on his contract, the Frenchman is certainly worth keeping on for a final season, despite becoming increasingly injury prone.
AFP/Getty Images
7/32 Sokratis – Keep
Adapted well in his first season and also has genuine leadership qualities in the dressing-room. One of Arsenal’s more reliable options in defence this season and a worthy back-up at the least.
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8/32 Rob Holding – Keep
Flourished under Unai Emery before his season was derailed by an ACL injury. Should establish himself as first-choice next season.
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9/32 Shkodran Mustafi – Sell
A liability who Arsenal will be desperately regretting not offloading to Inter Milan when they had the chance. Unreliable and error-prone, Emery does not rely on the German in a back-four and the club will be keen to move him on, even if his value has dipped dramatically.
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10/32 Konstantinos Mavropanos – Keep
Has been given precious little game time, despite high hopes around the Greek defender. Needs to be given more minutes next season unless Arsenal would consider a loan deal.
AFP/Getty Images
11/32 Calum Chambers – Sell
Utlimately ended up playing as a central midfielder for Fulham this season and, while showing signs of improvment, does not have the quality to re-establish himself at Arsenal. Chambers is only 24 and should command a reasonable transfer fee from a side towards the other end of the Premier League table.
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12/32 Hector Bellerin – Keep
Another long-term injury absentee this season. Arsenal’s best defender on his day and one they will certainly look to keep hold of.
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13/32 Nacho Monreal – Keep
The under-celebrated cog in Arsenal’s maligned defence. Monreal can play both as a left-back in a 4-4-2 and as a wing-back or left-sided centre-half when Emery opts for five-at-the-back. Valuable versatility and experience that’s worth holding onto as a back-up for the final year of his contract.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
14/32 Sead Kolasinac – Replace for the right price
Cannot be relied upon in a four-at-the-back formation. Frequently fails to track his marker and is lost for pace against skilfull wingers, despite often being brilliant going forwards. Very effective as a wing-back but Arsenal need a first-choice left-back who can be trusted to help sure up a leaky defence.
Action Plus via Getty Images
15/32 Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Keep
More often used as a right-back, despite favouring a midfield role. Maitland-Niles has improved but is yet to totally convince. At 21, time is still on his side and he clearly has the potential, but he needs to find another level over the course of the next season.
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16/32 Stephan Lichtsteiner – Release
Has hardly impressed when filling in and at 35 is well off the pace of the Premier League. Contract expires at the end of the season and is almost certain to depart.
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17/32 Carl Jenkinson – Release
A cult favourite at the Emirates but a player who has never lived up to expectation. Will depart when his contract expires this summer.
Getty
18/32 Granit Xhaka – Keep
Can be a frustrating anchor in Arsenal’s midfield with errant passing and reckless tackling. Ideally Arsenal would replace the Swiss international, but with a replacement for Ramsey already required it’s unlikely Xhaka can be afforded to leave.
AFP/Getty Images
19/32 Lucas Torreira – Keep
The Uruguayan fell out of favour with Emery during the latter part of the season, despite immediately impressing. Still needs time to adapt to the pace of the Premier League but the 23-year-old continues to look brilliant value at just £25m.
Action Plus via Getty Images
20/32 Matteo Guendouzi- Keep
The 19-year-old has been one of the shining lights of this first campaign under Emery, with huge potential and a fearless personality. Can steadily be refined into a first-team starter for years to come if continues to improve and irons out youthful flaws.
Action Images via Reuters
21/32 Mohamed Elneny – Sell
Only used as a last-ditch option by Emery and does not have the technical quality to effectively fill in for those ahead of him. Arsenal should be able to recoup the £5m transfer fee paid for the Egyptian in 2016.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
22/32 Aaron Ramsey – Joining Juventus
Arsenal will need to replace Ramsey with a midfielder of similar ilk. The decision not to extend his contract has become increasingly mindless during the second-half of the season in which he has been Arsenal’s best player.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
23/32 Denis Suarez – Return to Barcelona
Who? Barely featured since Arsenal desperately pursued a loan deal for the 25-year-old in January. The decision to sign Suarez, over younger players with more potential, also contributed to Sven Mislintat’s shock departure. One to forget.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
24/32 Alex Iwobi – Sell for the right price
Showed early improvements under Emery but it’s still hard to say Iwobi has proved he has the quality to stand against the Premier League’s top wingers, with a lacking final ball and paltry goal tally. There’s no need to actively look to move Iwobi onwards, but if the right offer came in Arsenal should consider their options.
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25/32 Mesut Ozil – Intends to stay
Arsenal should look to free up their wage budget and sell Ozil, despite a recent upturn in form after a season of quarrels with Emery. There was already an openness to offload Ozil in the January window, but the creative enigma has now claimed he intends to stay and there’s little Arsenal can do to force him out.
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26/32 Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Sell
Has never managed to consistently impress at Arsenal and his £180,000-per-week wages are a hindrance on the club. Arsenal should definitely look to move the Armenian on. The 30-year-old iis another one though who may be happy to sit tight.
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27/32 Reiss Nelson – Keep
Started brilliantly at Hoffenheim before falling out of favour and then losing his space in the squad for disciplinary reasons. Has great potential and should hope to break through at Arsenal next season.
DFL via Getty Images
28/32 Emile Smith Rowe – Keep
Made an impressive breakthrough before struggling with injury before Christmas, which has since prevented him from getting game time on loan at RB Leipzig. Clearly Arsenal’s best young prospect with clear potential and, despite Leipzig’s interest in another loan deal, Arsenal should look to keep him at the club next season.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
29/32 Alexandre Lacazette – Keep
Arsenal’s player of the year this season. Build-up play, ability to hold up the ball, added robustness and willingness to drop deep behind Aubameyang has turned him into an ideal striker in Emery’s set-up.
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30/32 Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang – Keep
Twenty goals in the Premier League this season, despite being guilty of occasionally missing key opportunities. Has developed a great relationship with Lacazette.
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31/32 Danny Welbeck – Released
Arsenal confirmed Welbeck’s contract won’t be extended after the draw with Brighton.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
32/32 Eddie Nketiah – Loan
Needs more time on the pitch to develop. Almost joined Augsburg in the January window and should look to improve on loan with options currently so limited behind Lacazette and Aubameyang.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
1/32 Arsenal: Stay or go?
Getty Images
2/32 Bernd Leno – Stay
After a steady integration and a few early errors, the German has settled in well as Arsenal’s No 1 keeper, playing exceptionally against Leicester last week and more than justifying his £25m price tag.
Action Plus via Getty Images
3/32 Petr Cech – Retired
The 36-year-old will hang up his gloves at the end of the season. Arsenal are keen to keep him on in a coaching capacity, however, Cech may prefer a return to former club Chelsea.
PA
4/32 David Ospina – Keep
Napoli have an option to buy, however, the Colombian would prove a perfect, and most importantly free, back-up if the Italians do not take up that offer at a time when Arsenal need to focus on investing in other positions.
REUTERS
5/32 Emiliano Martinez – Sell
The Argentinian has impressed at Reading on loan. But at 26, he’s unlikely to ever establish himself as first-choice at Arsenal and the player is keen to move on and gain first-team football.
Action Plus via Getty Images
6/32 Laurent Koscielny – Keep
A leadership figure at the club with one-year remaining on his contract, the Frenchman is certainly worth keeping on for a final season, despite becoming increasingly injury prone.
AFP/Getty Images
7/32 Sokratis – Keep
Adapted well in his first season and also has genuine leadership qualities in the dressing-room. One of Arsenal’s more reliable options in defence this season and a worthy back-up at the least.
Action Images via Reuters
8/32 Rob Holding – Keep
Flourished under Unai Emery before his season was derailed by an ACL injury. Should establish himself as first-choice next season.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
9/32 Shkodran Mustafi – Sell
A liability who Arsenal will be desperately regretting not offloading to Inter Milan when they had the chance. Unreliable and error-prone, Emery does not rely on the German in a back-four and the club will be keen to move him on, even if his value has dipped dramatically.
Getty Images
10/32 Konstantinos Mavropanos – Keep
Has been given precious little game time, despite high hopes around the Greek defender. Needs to be given more minutes next season unless Arsenal would consider a loan deal.
AFP/Getty Images
11/32 Calum Chambers – Sell
Utlimately ended up playing as a central midfielder for Fulham this season and, while showing signs of improvment, does not have the quality to re-establish himself at Arsenal. Chambers is only 24 and should command a reasonable transfer fee from a side towards the other end of the Premier League table.
REUTERS
12/32 Hector Bellerin – Keep
Another long-term injury absentee this season. Arsenal’s best defender on his day and one they will certainly look to keep hold of.
Getty Images
13/32 Nacho Monreal – Keep
The under-celebrated cog in Arsenal’s maligned defence. Monreal can play both as a left-back in a 4-4-2 and as a wing-back or left-sided centre-half when Emery opts for five-at-the-back. Valuable versatility and experience that’s worth holding onto as a back-up for the final year of his contract.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
14/32 Sead Kolasinac – Replace for the right price
Cannot be relied upon in a four-at-the-back formation. Frequently fails to track his marker and is lost for pace against skilfull wingers, despite often being brilliant going forwards. Very effective as a wing-back but Arsenal need a first-choice left-back who can be trusted to help sure up a leaky defence.
Action Plus via Getty Images
15/32 Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Keep
More often used as a right-back, despite favouring a midfield role. Maitland-Niles has improved but is yet to totally convince. At 21, time is still on his side and he clearly has the potential, but he needs to find another level over the course of the next season.
Getty Images
16/32 Stephan Lichtsteiner – Release
Has hardly impressed when filling in and at 35 is well off the pace of the Premier League. Contract expires at the end of the season and is almost certain to depart.
Getty Images
17/32 Carl Jenkinson – Release
A cult favourite at the Emirates but a player who has never lived up to expectation. Will depart when his contract expires this summer.
Getty
18/32 Granit Xhaka – Keep
Can be a frustrating anchor in Arsenal’s midfield with errant passing and reckless tackling. Ideally Arsenal would replace the Swiss international, but with a replacement for Ramsey already required it’s unlikely Xhaka can be afforded to leave.
AFP/Getty Images
19/32 Lucas Torreira – Keep
The Uruguayan fell out of favour with Emery during the latter part of the season, despite immediately impressing. Still needs time to adapt to the pace of the Premier League but the 23-year-old continues to look brilliant value at just £25m.
Action Plus via Getty Images
20/32 Matteo Guendouzi- Keep
The 19-year-old has been one of the shining lights of this first campaign under Emery, with huge potential and a fearless personality. Can steadily be refined into a first-team starter for years to come if continues to improve and irons out youthful flaws.
Action Images via Reuters
21/32 Mohamed Elneny – Sell
Only used as a last-ditch option by Emery and does not have the technical quality to effectively fill in for those ahead of him. Arsenal should be able to recoup the £5m transfer fee paid for the Egyptian in 2016.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
22/32 Aaron Ramsey – Joining Juventus
Arsenal will need to replace Ramsey with a midfielder of similar ilk. The decision not to extend his contract has become increasingly mindless during the second-half of the season in which he has been Arsenal’s best player.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
23/32 Denis Suarez – Return to Barcelona
Who? Barely featured since Arsenal desperately pursued a loan deal for the 25-year-old in January. The decision to sign Suarez, over younger players with more potential, also contributed to Sven Mislintat’s shock departure. One to forget.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
24/32 Alex Iwobi – Sell for the right price
Showed early improvements under Emery but it’s still hard to say Iwobi has proved he has the quality to stand against the Premier League’s top wingers, with a lacking final ball and paltry goal tally. There’s no need to actively look to move Iwobi onwards, but if the right offer came in Arsenal should consider their options.
Getty Images
25/32 Mesut Ozil – Intends to stay
Arsenal should look to free up their wage budget and sell Ozil, despite a recent upturn in form after a season of quarrels with Emery. There was already an openness to offload Ozil in the January window, but the creative enigma has now claimed he intends to stay and there’s little Arsenal can do to force him out.
Getty Images
26/32 Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Sell
Has never managed to consistently impress at Arsenal and his £180,000-per-week wages are a hindrance on the club. Arsenal should definitely look to move the Armenian on. The 30-year-old iis another one though who may be happy to sit tight.
Getty Images
27/32 Reiss Nelson – Keep
Started brilliantly at Hoffenheim before falling out of favour and then losing his space in the squad for disciplinary reasons. Has great potential and should hope to break through at Arsenal next season.
DFL via Getty Images
28/32 Emile Smith Rowe – Keep
Made an impressive breakthrough before struggling with injury before Christmas, which has since prevented him from getting game time on loan at RB Leipzig. Clearly Arsenal’s best young prospect with clear potential and, despite Leipzig’s interest in another loan deal, Arsenal should look to keep him at the club next season.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
29/32 Alexandre Lacazette – Keep
Arsenal’s player of the year this season. Build-up play, ability to hold up the ball, added robustness and willingness to drop deep behind Aubameyang has turned him into an ideal striker in Emery’s set-up.
Getty Images
30/32 Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang – Keep
Twenty goals in the Premier League this season, despite being guilty of occasionally missing key opportunities. Has developed a great relationship with Lacazette.
Getty Images
31/32 Danny Welbeck – Released
Arsenal confirmed Welbeck’s contract won’t be extended after the draw with Brighton.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
32/32 Eddie Nketiah – Loan
Needs more time on the pitch to develop. Almost joined Augsburg in the January window and should look to improve on loan with options currently so limited behind Lacazette and Aubameyang.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
“So I just wrote what I feel. But we have also to play for him and for the players who are injured, and tomorrow if we win this game, it’s also for them.”
Xhaka added: “Of course we are disappointed he’s not here but I think we spoke a lot about Mkhitaryan, and a lot of political things, and it’s time to speak about football.
“He’s very important for us, and we want to give him a trophy tomorrow. We’ve been twice in a row in the Europa League, and a club like Arsenal has to be in the Champions League.
“It’s an amazing and important game for us, because we want to give the club and the fans the Champions League back.”
Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who will learn on Wednesday whether he has won his battle with Petr Cech to start in goal against Chelsea, commented earlier in the week that Mkhitaryan’s absence from the final was a “scandal”.
“It’s a scandal that he cannot play because of that, he works hard all season and cannot come to such a final for political reasons,” the German said.
“I’m just sorry for him.”
The Gunners earlier learned that Uefa would not permit their players warming up in Mkhitaryan branded shirts, in a proposed show of support for the midfielder.
Any kit worn by teams immediately before, during or after the game is subject to approval by European football’s governing body, with Uefa confirming that such shirts would be prohibited by their rules preventing teams from making political statements.
