Arsenal have gone with a 24-man squad to the Europa League final with manager Unai Emery still reeling from the loss of midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who has been excluded over fears for his safety.
The Gunners manager insisted he respected Mkhitaryan’s decision but admitted his side will miss the “quality and capacity” of the Armenia captain.
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Emery lifted the trophy in three consecutive seasons with Sevilla between 2013 and 2016 – and Gunners need him to replicate the trick if they are to feature in next season’s Champions League.
The Italian said: “I come from the Basque Country and we had a big political problem that finished five or six years ago, and I can understand it is a very personal decision for his family and also thinking in their country.”
Aaron Ramsey has played his last game for the Gunners, with a hamstring injury continuing to keep the Juventus-bound midfielder away.
On-loan Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez has a groin difficulty, and Hector Bellerín and Rob Holding both have knee fractures.
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Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, who have scored Arsenal's last eight UEFA Europa League goals, will be key to their hopes of ending Chelsea’s record-breaking 17-game unbeaten run in the competition.
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
