An off-the-pitch issue will not allow the Gunners to have one of their best footballers around for the crucial tie.

Arsenal will not have a full squad to choose from to face the UEFA Europa League final due to injuries, but the next absence has nothing to do with a physical setback.

Earlier today, the Gunners revealed that due to the political tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be playing the final clash. Mkhitaryan has stepped out of the possibility of playing in Baku, since he fears that either his family or himself will be treated disrespectfully by any of the local fans.

Arsenal shared a few more insight on this matter via a press release issued on their website.

"We have thoroughly explored all the options for Micki to be part of the squad but after discussing this with Micki and his family we have collectively agreed he will not be in our travelling party. We have written to Uefa expressing our deep concerns about this situation. Micki has been a key player in our run to the final so this is a big loss for us from a team perspective," the document states.

Arsenal has also stated that Mkhitaryan will continue working with the team until they make the trip to Baku next weekend.

"Micki" has played eleven games for Arsenal in the competition, six of them as a starter. He has handed out three assists during the course of the competition.