Koscielny slams UEFA after Mkhitaryan withdrawal

Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny blasted UEFA after Henrikh Mkhitaryan opted to miss the Europa League final against Chelsea in Baku.

Political tensions between Azerbaijan and Mkhitaryan’s native Armenia will see the midfielder left out by head coach Unai Emery, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

Koscielny slammed the decision to play the final in Baku, which will host the decider on May 29.

“I am not very happy,” the defender told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Firstly because we need to leave one player here, because he can’t play in the final.

“I think UEFA needs to know about the different problems they can have with the politics in the country.

“We’re very disappointed to announce that @HenrikhMkh will not be travelling with the squad for our #UELfinal against Chelsea.”

Full statement 

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 21, 2019

“When one country has a problem with another they should not give the final to that country.

“For us it is difficult because we want to have ‘Micki’ with us. He is an important player for us.”

Mkhitaryan has played 11 games in the Europa League this season, providing three assists.