Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has hit out at Uefa for staging the Europa League final in Azerbaijan.

The Gunners face Chelsea in Baku but will be without Armenian attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan who is not travelling because of fears over his safety.

"It's a scandal that he cannot play because of that, he works hard all season and cannot come to such a final for political reasons," the German told Kicker.

"I'm just sorry for him [Mkhitaryan]."

There were calls for Arsenal and Chelsea to boycott the final but Leno says the club are desperate to win the trophy.

"The club wants the title, they want to go to the Champions League, and if Arsenal and Chelsea refuse, they would probably be excluded from UEFA. That's not so easy," he added.