Europa League

We’ve all been so wrapped up in hating the location of the Europa League final that we’d almost forgotten there’s a game of football still to be played.

Despite UEFA’s protestations that Henrikh Mkhitaryan would have been perfectly safe to travel to Baku to play in the Europa League final, the experience of Arsenal fans so far says otherwise.

David Luiz believes Chelsea not only need to beat Arsenal to win the Europa League but they also need to overcome Unai Emery which strikes me as being the same thing, but here we are.

Lyon may be coming to the Emirates Cup in the summer but they’ll be hoping Arsenal tank the Europa League final because that would hand the French Ligue 1 side a Champions League group place without having to go through qualifying.

Arsenal players will not be able to show any sign of support for Henrikh Mkhitaryan before the Europa League final thanks to UEFA’s rules.

Chelsea will be without N’Golo Kante for the Europa League final on Wednesday evening after picking up a knee injury in training over the weekend.

Chelsea supporters are angry with the club’s silence over the issues affecting fans wishing to travel to Baku for the Europa League final.

Arsene Wenger has hit out at the decision to hold the Europa League final in Baku, saying it is the fans who will suffer rather than the teams.

Jose Mourinho has expressed his sympathy to Arsenal and Chelsea fans who are unable to attend the Europa League final in Baku while pointing out there is much more pressure on Arsenal to win the game than his old club.

Arsenal will have around 4,000 fans in Baku while Chelsea were only able to sell approximately 2,000 tickets for the Arsehole of Nowhere Final.

UEFA’s own report stated that Baku was not fit to host the Champions League or Europa League final, claiming that local university dormitories and campsites would be needed to house supporters.

I’m often told that politics has no place in football, but those critics are oddly silent as Arsenal and Chelsea fans struggle to get to a match that a professional footballer won’t play in because he doesn’t feel safe.

Arsenal fans are being warned that the club faces punishment if any fans protest about the farce that is the Europa League final at the match in Baku.

Arsenal players will receive a bonus of up to £10m should they win the Europa League according to a Daily Mail exclusive on Tuesday morning.

Arsenal and Chelsea are set to return half of their ticket allocations for the Europa League final, with fans struggling to find affordable ways to attend the fixture.

Danny Welbeck is expected to be given the chance for one more Arsenal appearance before he leaves the club on a free and will be included in the squad travelling to Baku for the Champions League final.

UEFA have confirmed that four VAR officials will be appointed to the 2018/19 Europa League final between Arsenal and Chelsea, the first time video technology has been used in the competition.

Fanzones. That’s where UEFA want football fans. As far away as possible from the actual football where they might ruin the spectacle beamed around the world with their loutish, working-class behaviour.

UEFA claim they have given Arsenal assurances over Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s safety should the Armenian travel to Baku for the Europa League final.

Fanzones. That’s where UEFA want football fans. As far away as possible from the actual football where they might ruin the spectacle beamed around the world with their loutish, working-class behaviour.