Qarabag coach says he believes Arsenal were afraid to take Henrikh Mkhitaryan to play in tomorrow night’s Europa League encounter, but insisted he didn’t want to bring politics into the situation despite bringing politics into the situation.
Earlier this week the 29 year old decided not to make the journey because of the conflict between his home nation of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and although Arsenal and UEFA were confident a visa would have been granted despite restrictions on Armenian citizens, the former Borussia Dortmund man stayed behind in England as the team made the journey today.
Speaking ahead of the game, Gurban Gurbanov said, “I didn’t want politics to interrupt the sport but we could not do anything on this issue.
“Arsenal tried to save this player but it is not a matter for us if he is coming or not.
“If Henrikh Mkhitaryan would come to Azerbaijan it is not the first time …until now a lot of Armenian sportsmen came to Azerbaijan but it is the choice of Arsenal that they didn’t send him.
“Arsenal may be afraid that in front of 60,000 Azerbaijani fans, he has some pressure and that is why they didn’t send Mkhitaryan.”
Unai Emery is due to meet the press shortly, and it’s likely something he’ll be asked about. Here’s our predicted response.
“For the player it is one thing. For the countries another. We respect all people but each individual can decide on his one action and that is what Henrikh has done. We are focused to win the game with each player making his best performance and that is our decision and what we want.”
Let’s see!
If you haven’t said ‘predicted’ response I would have totally believed! 😀
I can’t wait to see his actual response and put it next to your predicted one Blogs!
My work is football. I respect each person, I respect each people, I respect each culture, I respect each country. But I don’t know each situation in every country. For me, he cannot play tomorrow. There is respect for Micki and respect for you. Today we are here with the opportunity to play well.
Yeah, I thought the first one was missing a “for me”.
Don’t forget about what we want. Wanting things is important
Naaah, no way is he gonna use the word “performance” just once.
Of course they were afraid. You kind of kill Armenians there.
The fact he used the word afraid is actually disgusting really. Can you imagine the uproar if a game was being held and a player of colour couldn’t play because they kill them there and the boss of the team there said ”oh he must afraid”. Honestly its an ugly comment and i hope we crush them for it!
Welcome to the world outside our comfort zone.
Isn’t he just stating a fact? I can’t see why this is “disgusting”. This coming from a guy whose name is a racial slur… talk about pot calling kettle.
“I believe that Henrik is a player who may be a protagonist in the attacking moments, but also the moments when the opponent is attacking, and so he has a cold.”
What a John terry
ok his buddy auba is all fired up for the game to put us 3-0 up in 10 mins then.
Except he hasn’t travelled there
Can you imagine being banned from a country because of your nationality and then someone comes along and calls you a coward for not coming?
I’m kind of in an opposite position as a EU national living in the UK where a recent referendum has more or less told me to fuck off to where I came from while the instigators behind said referendum claim they want me to stay here. If that was true then why do they keep reiterating the importance of ending freedom of movement? So while I don’t believe them some say I’m a pussy for not being sure about my future here. It’s a strange thing realising that you are unwanted on such a grand scale and I don’t blame… Read more »
Get out while you can Twatsloch!
Trying to, Goonertilidie. 🙂
I genuinely hope it was just a mistranslation and an honest attempt at speculating why Mhkitaryan did not come.
If it was a taunt at Mhkitaryan, then any respect we have for Qarabag should go out the window. Nothing wrong with footballers/coaches voicing political views, but you simply do not use the platform of your biggest game in years to throw around political insults.
What better time is there for a nothing nation that gives nothing to nobody lol.
Nailed it…….. ?
Thats it, please kill this team.. 8-0 would do nicely, no pressure.
Dear Gurban, I’m “afraid” we will still beat your ass without Mikhi.
why did i read that response in Unai’s voice? now i believe thats what he said
‘‘Tis fine. We’ll bring him to the final.