Arsenal: Henrikh Mkhitaryan might just be needed

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been guaranteed save travel to the Europa League final. Whether he does go remains to be seen, but Arsenal might well end up needing him.

Much has been said of the decision to host the Europa League final in Baku, Azerbaijan. From the travel to the human rights problems with the country, from the ticket allocation to the questionable reasons for hosting it there, there are plenty of reasons to doubt the UEFA’s decision, as Arsenal have publicly made known.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Death, Decay, Despair

One of the most egregious consequences of having the final, which will pit Arsenal against Chelsea in late-May, in Baku is the threat that is posed to Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Mkhitaryan is Armenian. There have been disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which borders the two countries, and it has led to Armenians not being allowed into the country whatsoever. When Arsenal played FK Qarabag in the group stages, Mkhitaryan did not travel with the team — Qarabag head coach Gurban Gurbanov actually said that Arsenal had ‘saved’ Mkhitaryan by not taking him.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

This week, however, Azerbaijan ambassador to the United Kingdom, Tahir Taghizadeh, has guaranteed the safety of Mkhitaryan, should he choose to travel with the Gunners to the final and simply focus on playing football. Speaking with Sky Sports, Taghizadeh said:

"“Absolutely. I would be delighted for him to have a conversation with me. This is a Class A event, if our purpose is to play political games around it it is something different, you are being paid as a footballer not a politician, let’s leave other issues aside. My message to Mkhitaryan would be: you’re a footballer, you want to play football? Go to Baku, you are safe there. If you want to play the issue then that’s a different story. What I can guarantee is that the Azerbaijan government will do everything what needs to be done and provide safety and security for every fan, player and staff member coming to this game.”"

That was not enough for Mkhitaryan, it seems. The Armenian international confirmed on Tuesday that he would not travel with the squad. From a purely footballing perspective, he might have been needed. I have been critical of his performances this season, questioning the value he brings to the team, especially at close to £200,000-a-week. But in a one-off game, he does have the ability to create something from nothing. Nowhere is that more useful than in a final.

Mkhitaryan would likely not have started. With Mesut Ozil the presumed central attacking midfielder in behind Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan would almost certainly have had to settle for a place on the bench, but that does not mean that he could not have provided something unique to the team, even if was just chasing a goal late on from the off the bench.

Although his consistency is seriously concerning, he does have an ability on the ball that few other players in the squad can match. At times, when he is on his game, he is extremely creative in the final third, he can finish chances, and he does manage to slip by defenders in tight spaces. These are qualities that could have been useful.

The very fact that Mkhitaryan will not be involved based on political unrest and personal safety is deplorable. But from a purely footballing perspective, it would have been nice to have him with the squad. Arsenal might just end up missing him.