Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham blasted UEFA after it was decided Henrikh Mkhitaryan would not play in the Europa League final due to security concerns.

The 30-year-old will not travel with the squad to Baku due to the tensions between Azerbaijan and and his native Armenia.

Gunners boss Unai Emery revealed the player spoke with his family before coming to his decision that he will not play against Chelsea.

Speaking of the situation, Venkatesham said: "I struggle to find the words about how strongly I feel. We have a situation that is completely unacceptable.

“It is not our decision or Henrikh's but one we made together. We don't feel he can travel to a major European final and that's extraordinarily sad.

“He has had that opportunity taken away from him, one that is a rare opportunity for any player.

“We're losing the opportunity of having him to help us win a major trophy. It's an extraordinary shame.

“All we can really do is make our point very clearly to Uefa. After the final we will explain to them why it's unacceptable and must avoid it happening to Arsenal or any other club ever again."