Number Henrikh Mkhitaryan will wear in the Europa League after Arsenal star is told he can't sport 7 shirt
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be able to wear his number 7 shirt in the Europa League this season, due to a UEFA rule.
The Armenian midfielder took the number from Alexis Sanchez, after arriving at the Emirates Stadium in a swap deal, with the Chilean also taking the number 7 shirt upon his arrival at Old Trafford.
A UEFA rule prevents clubs from registering more than one player with the same shirt number for a European competition each season.
Sanchez has already worn the number 7 shirt for Arsenal in the Europa League, meaning it technically belongs to him for the remainder of the campaign, despite the fact he's left.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
As a result Mkhitaryan will now wear the number 77 shirt when he plays in Europe, and will revert to the number 7 when he features in the Premier League.
The bizarre rule was seen in action during Liverpool's 2010/11 Europa League campaign, when Fernando Torres wore the No. 9 shirt in the first half of the season before moving to Chelsea in a £50m deal in January 2011.
(Image: AMA/Getty)
Andy Carroll then took the No. 9 upon his arrival at the club from Newcastle, but was forced to wear the No. 29 during the Reds' 1-0 aggregate defeat to Braga in the round of 16.
Mkhitaryan could make a European appearance for Arsenal when they face Swedish side Ostersunds FK in the last 32 of the Europa League in the middle of February.