Azerbaijan's ambassador to the UK has accused Henrikh Mkhitaryan of 'trying to make a political statement' by missing next week's Europa League final.

The eagerly anticipated all-English clash in Baku descended into farce this week when Arsenal announced they would not be taking Mkhitaryan to play Chelsea due to safety concerns.

The Armenian's safety was in doubt because of the dispute between his country and the host nation and, despite receiving assurances aimed at allaying those fears, Mkhitaryan chose not to travel to Baku following discussions with the club and his family.

Azerbaijan's UK ambassador has accused Henrikh Mkhitaryan of 'making a political statement'

Ambassador Tahir Taghizadeh pictured with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2014

Ambassador Tahir Taghizadeh has claimed that Mkhitaryan's decision not to play despite those safety guarantees means he has made a political decision rather than a personal one.

He told talkSPORT: 'Our reaction? The right word would be disappointment.

'Obviously that's his decision – his, his family's and the club's – but we are disappointed in it.

'We did our utmost to assure his safety would be guaranteed and the safety of anybody travelling to Baku, as well as the fans, team crews and other players.

'Do I think he is making a political statement? I am afraid so.

'Honestly, there is a concern here that what Mkhitaryan has done is not connected to his ethnicity or anything he's doing as a pro footballer, but there is an issue.'

Arsenal will not be taking Mkhitaryan to play Chelsea in the Baku due to safety concerns

Taghizade even suggested that the country had relaxed some of its laws in order to welcome Mkhitaryan for the final.

'He has visited Nagorno-Karabakh, an occupied portion of Azerbaijan, at least once and that was an unsanctioned visit,' he added.

'Those people are usually black-listed in Azerbaijan, which means they are not able to get a visa or travel to Azerbaijan. But in this case, Mkhitaryan's case has been settled and there is no issue whatsoever.

'There is absolutely no problem for Azerbaijan to receive Mkhitaryan and to provide for his physical safety and security. His physical safety is assured by every word I say.

'It's ultimately his decision, but if we are looking for reasons to justify a decision that maybe longer in the making, that's something different.'