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'TO YOU, MICKY'
Defiant Arsenal fans sing Mkhitaryan songs despite threat of security clampdown in Baku
DEFIANT Arsenal fans belted out Henrikh Mkhitaryan chants in Baku in a show of support for the midfielder.
The Armenia international, 30, will miss the Europa League final due to concerns for his safety amid diplomatic tensions between his nation and host country Azerbaijan.
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We reported earlier today that Arsenal supporters had been stopped by police in Baku checking whether they had Mkhitaryan's name on the backs of their shirts.
But it has not deterred the Gunners faithful from paying tribute to their pupil.
Football.London reporter James Benge shared a video of defiant Arsenal supporters singing Mkhitaryan songs ahead of the Europa League final.
They were heard, chanting: "Here’s to you Mkhitaryan, Arsenal love you more than you will know."
Uefa have already blocked plans of Arsenal players, who wanted to wear Mkhitaryan-themed shirts in the pre-match warm-up in a show of solidarity with their team-mate.
The Gunners star will miss the highly-anticipated clash with Chelsea because of fears he could be targeted due to a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The two nations hotly dispute the Nagorno-Karabakh region that borders the two countries.
Having spoken to his concerned family, Mkhitaryan told his team-mates last week he would not be included in the squad travelling to Baku.
That prompted Arsenal officials and players to hit out at Uefa for awarding the final to take place in Azerbaijan.
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Gunners skipper Laurent Koscielny said: "We want Mkhi with us because he is an important player for Arsenal.
"But we know about the problems and if he thinks he can’t be safe it’s better for him to stay here.
"We will play the game but it’s not the final we dreamed of."
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Chelsea and Arsenal fans give their opinion on Europa League final result in Baku
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