Arsenal manager Unai Emery has confirmed that the club won’t be able to bank on the services if Henrikh Mkhitaryan when they face Chelsea in the Europa League final next week. The Armenian’s participation in the final had been doubtful due to his country’s poor relations with Azerbaijan and Emery has now revealed that the playmaker has decided not to travel to Baku for personal reasons.

Mkhitaryan has not enjoyed the best of seasons with the north London club but his absence for the final may leave the Gunners with just one wide attacking option in Alex Iwobi unless Danny Welbeck manages to prove his fitness after a long-term ankle problem. The England international will be leaving the club on a free this summer but prior to that, he could make a final bow at the Europa League final, should he continue to show positive signs in training.
Welbeck joined the team in training prior to the final Premier League game of the season and he has recently been involved in an in-door game with his teammates where he has shown no side effects after an operation for a double ankle fracture. The versatile forward has not featured for the Gunners since the Europa League clash against Sporting in November.