GETTING SHIRTY
Arsenal fans wearing Mkhitaryan shirts stopped by baton-wielding Baku cops ahead of Europa League final with Chelsea
TWO Arsenal supporters have been stopped by baton-wielding police in Baku after wearing shirts with Henrikh Mkhitaryan's name on the back.
The 30-year-old Arsenal ace hasn't travelled with his team-mates to face Chelsea in the Europa League final over concerns for his safety.
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Due to a 30-year political conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Mkhitaryan opted to stay at home, with Gunners chief Vinai Venkatesham slamming Uefa over the situation.
And while Azerbaijani officials previously assured Mkhitaryan's safety if he was to enter the country, two fans have been hounded by cops for simply wearing his jersey.
The clip shows the two men walking around in Baku, before being stopped by a group of police officers as one talked into his walkie-talkie.
They were eventually allowed to go on their way, but social media was sent into a meltdown over the incident.
A Baku police source told The Sun: “Police don’t want fans wearing Mkhitaryan shirts to run the risk of provoking locals angry about the political situation - no one wants violence.
“It’s possible the officers were pointing that out to the Arsenal fans in the video.”
MKHI TAKERS
One Arsenal fan said last night: “What are we doing here - why have UEFA allowed the final to be staged in such a backward, intolerant place.
“One of our star players is too scared to come here and a fan who dares to wear a shirt bearing his name is treated like a criminal.
“I hope Arsenal fans and the players will come come out in support of Henrik tomorrow, win or lose.”
One fan tweeted: "Appalling that Arsenal fans with Mkhitaryan tops are being scrutinised by police in Baku, @UEFA."
While another said: "Uefa insisted that Mkhitaryan would have perfectly safe in Azerbaijan.
"Less than a week later: Arsenal fans can’t even walk down the streets in Baku whilst wearing Mkhitaryan shirts without being stopped by the police.
"The planning of the final has been embarrassing."
A third added: "What are we doing here - why have Uefa allowed the final to be staged in such a backward, intolerant place.
“One of our star players is too scared to come here and a fan who dares to wear a shirt bearing his name is treated like a criminal.
“I hope Arsenal fans and the players will come come out in support of Henrik tomorrow, win or lose.”
One commented: "There’s no end to the scumworthyness of the @UEFA decision to have #Baku host the @EuropaLeague finals.
"Cops hold up fans wearing a @HenrikhMkh jersey I mean ffs."
LATEST ARSENAL NEWS
Arsenal had planned to show their support for the ex-Manchester United ace by wearing t-shirts with his name on in a show of solidarity.
But Uefa have blocked the North Londoners from paying a tribute to Mkhitaryan during their warm-up on Wednesday.
Arsenal skipper Laurent Koscielny recently slammed Uefa for holding the final in Baku as he insisted the match shouldn't be held in Azerbaijan.
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Arsenal players applaud Armenia skipper Henrikh Mkhitaryan as he explains why he can not play in Europa League Final against Chelsea
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