Mkhitaryan to miss trip to Azerbijan due to political situation

The attacking midfielder, 29, in consultation with Arsenal has opted against entering the country due to the long standing hostilities that have taken place between the two nations.

One of Armenia's most recognisable figures and the captain of the country's national team, it would have been a complicated process to secure him a visa, before even thinking about the controversy his arrival in the country would cause.

The two Eurasian states are embroiled in a long standing conflict and it has been decided it is not worth the risk for the former Dortmund and Manchester United man to make the trip.

This will not be the first time that Qarabag have faced English opposition, they came up against Arsenal's rivals Tottenham in the 2015/16 campaign, losing both games.