Euro: 2019 Europa League Finals:

[Live in the Now]

Pretty sure he was allowed to?

Not yet. Any Armenian-British fans of both teams are also not allowed to go it turns out.

 

[Chimaera]

Pretty sure he was allowed to?

He is, but there have been a few reports that they're unsure about his safety because of the Armenia/Azerbaijan issue. I mean, he's been pretty vocal and visible of his support for his Armenian background, going to some of the disputed areas in some of his charity work.

I don't think it is Shaqiri and double eagle iffy, but Arsenal are talking about leaving him home.

 

[Chimaera]

I realize some of it is UK papers grumbling, related to some of the fact that many supporters have to travel (or can't, because they've cut many of the supporter tickets), but the idea that a club couldn't field one of their players because of where the final is being played is pretty crazy.

 

[Chimaera]

Honestly! If only it was as easy as just moving the game to Wembley or something along those lines

I know you're not advocating it, but I do think that the finals moving around isn't the worst thing in the world. Just, Azerbaijan is really hard to get to, along with many of their issues.

 

[YNWA14]

Chelsea's CBs may be "meh" but they're also clearly a notch above Arsenals. I'd also say the same about fullbacks although if Belerin was healthy that would be different.

Honestly Bellerin is nothing special either. I'd take most of Chelsea's roster over Arsenal's...though Arsenal's front line is clearly better minus Hazard.

 

[robertmac43]

I know you're not advocating it, but I do think that the finals moving around isn't the worst thing in the world. Just, Azerbaijan is really hard to get to, along with many of their issues.

Oh I agree. Having it move is great for the game and I love it going to less mainstream European Soccer HUBs but just in this specific case having an all England final match up @ Wembley would be great. As you say, there are just too many issues!

 

[Albatros]

Playing at a half-empty stadium in Baku is as if UEFA would want to sabotage its own tournament.

 

[Elvis P]

Playing at a half-empty stadium in Baku is as if UEFA would want to sabotage its own tournament.

Agreed. Arsenal and Chelsea combined only get 12k tickets.

It hurts both teams equally, poor decisions are commmon in international sports, and watching a game on tv is not the end of the world. Hopefully (not referring to HF) everyone will stop whining, move on, and get over it.

 

[robertmac43]

Hopefully (not referring to HF) everyone will stop whining, move on, and get over it

I hope people give them crap for this situation. Without the political tension even considered, the decision was a bad one logistically and UEFA should hear it for making a bad choice.

Obviously leave it be come game time and just focus on the football, but outside of that make them more accountable in their decision making!

 

[Pouchkine]

Teams don't get that many tickets either for the Champions League Final.

 

[Chimaera]

I don’t have any problem with the tickets (though I would like supporters to get a close majority for a good match optic and experience) but where it is is terrible

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Yeah, but that goes both ways. Kanté and Hazard of course are the only Chelseaplayers i would really like at Arsenal. The rest pretty "meh".

Well, except that it doesn't go both ways. Chelsea's keeper is better. Chelsea's centre backs are better. Chelsea's fullbacks are better (yes, even better than Bellerin, who Azpilicueta is easily better than). Chelsea's midfielders are better - the one exception is that Ramsey would probably slot in ahead of Loftus-Cheek. Laca and Auba are better than Willian/Pedro/Giroud/Higuain, and so both would join our front three. Kepa, Luiz, Rudiger, Azpi, Emerson, Jorginho, Kante, and Hazard would all start for Arsenal.

 

[Cassano]

Very debatable to say full backs and keeper are better.

 

[Chimaera]

Yeah neither teams standouts are in the defense and net.

 

[Cassano]

Yeah neither teams standouts are in the defense and net.

Chelsea have way better CBs, wingers, more depth and better manager though.

 

[Johnnywhite]

Chelsea have way better CBs, wingers, more depth and better manager though.

...but their blood fan support is confined to a Shed?

 

[davemess]

Henrikh Mkhitaryan isn't going to travel for the final, he doesn't feel his safety can be assured.

Arsenal's Henrikh Mkhitaryan to miss Europa League final against Chelsea

 

[Chimaera]

that's awful. Just awful.

 

[HajdukSplit]

Baku is also hosting 4 Euro 2020 games, they say the airport doesn’t have capacity for 15,000 visitors yet give them these big games. We all know why but still...

 

[Cassano]

Joke organization. Arsenal lose their best wide player in a cup final. f*** off.

 

[davemess]

I think Arsenal should have refused to play the match.

Know UEFA would probably hammer them and they would lose a shot at a CL place next year but surely standing up for your player is worth it.

 

[Evilo]

Chelsea should too.

 

[Chimaera]

They both should, but neither will. The money from getting in the CL for Arsenal is enough to where they would leave more than just one player behind to get a chance at it.

 

[robertmac43]

Yeah a boycott would be nice but it just won't happen. Baku should never be allowed to host an event like this again without change. Issue is they have 4ish games in Euro 2020 I believe which is going to be mess logistically

 

[Blender]

Henrikh Mkhitaryan isn't going to travel for the final, he doesn't feel his safety can be assured.

Arsenal's Henrikh Mkhitaryan to miss Europa League final against Chelsea

This along with the travel and ticket situations are just a disgrace.