Arsenal travel to France to take on potential Europa League dark horses Rennes, as the Gunners hope to take a giant step towards the quarterfinals.
Rennes have not been entirely convincing in this season’s Europa League, although the Ligue 1 side is unbeaten in their last four games of the competition. Before this good run the French team lost three of their first four games in the group stages, although their resurgent form since has given them the dark horses tag in this season’s competition.
Julien Stephan’s side have already secured the scalp of La Liga outfit Real Betis in the Round of 32 clashes, and will now be targetting another in Arsenal, when the two sides meet at Roazhan Park for the round of 16 first leg. Rennes can also take inspiration from their domestic form of late, where they have secured a place in the Coupe de France semi-finals as well as seven points from their last four games in the league, as they sit in 10th position on the Ligue 1 table.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are on an excellent run of form themselves, comprehensively beating BATE Borisov to secure their place in the last 16 of the competition. Additionally, their domestic form has also been consistent of late, with an unbeaten run of four games. Since their defeat to BATE Borisov in Belarus, the Gunners haven’t lost even once in four matches in all competitions (W3 D1).
Arsenal’s recent North London Derby showed their resistance and improvements in defence and Rennes will surely find it difficult to break them down. Arsenal are clear favourites to win this round of 16 clashes, although Rennes have proved they cannot be underestimated as they await the Gunners for the first leg.
Team News & Tactics
Rennes
Julien Stephan has a few concerns with injuries and suspensions in his side. Jordan Siebatcheu, Romain Danze, Abdoulaye Diallo, and Ludovic Baal are all unavailable for the Arsenal game with injuries. Rennes will also be without the suspended Hamari Traore. Benjamin Andre, however, is available after serving a ban in their last Europa League fixture.
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Voici le groupe convoqué pour la réception d'@Arsenal demain (18h55) ??
—#SRFCArsenal – #AllezRennes – #ToutDonner ??⚫ pic.twitter.com/eVxpMNTY9G— Stade Rennais F.C. (@staderennais) March 6, 2019
Former AC Milan starlet M’Baye Niang is not part of the squad named by the manager ahead of the game. Stephan will field a 4-4-1-1 lineup with the former PSG forward Hatem Ben Arfa playing behind striker Adrien Hunou in the formation.
Clement Grenier and Andre will man the midfield area, while the threat from wide areas will come from Ismaila Sarr and Benjamin Bourigeaud, who will start on the left flank in Niang’s absence. Tomas Koubek is certain to start in goal, while Mehdi Zeffane, Damien Da Silva, Edson Mexer, and Ramy Bensebaini are expected to form the defensive back line.
Probable Lineup (4-4-1-1): Koubek; Zeffane, Da Silva, Mexer, Bensebaini; Sarr, Andre, Grenier, Bourigeaud; Ben Arfa; Hunou
Arsenal
Unai Emery is expected to make some changes to his Arsenal side that drew 1-1 against Tottenham last weekend. The big news, however, is that striker Alexandre Lacazette will miss both legs of the Rennes tie after being shown a straight red card in the first leg of the BATE clash. In his place, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who missed a glorious penalty opportunity against Spurs will start.
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Here's who's made the trip to @staderennais ?#UEL ? pic.twitter.com/QYddDFJRzo
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) March 6, 2019
With no fresh injury concerns for Unai Emery barring those who have been ruled out for the season, the manager will have the luxury of making some necessary changes, mainly providing a rest for key players ahead of their weekend clash with Manchester United. Lucas Torreira is likely to feature as he is suspended for the United game, and will partner Matteo Guendouzi in midfield.
Emery could rest key stars like Laurent Koscielny, Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey for this clash. Ainsley Maitland-Niles could make a return to the side at right-back with Shkodran Mustafi moving back to central defence alongside Sokratis Papastathopoulos. Sead Kolasinac gets the nod at left-back over Nacho Monreal.
Mesut Ozil could take Ramsey’s position in the No.10 slot against the French outfit. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who has done so well in recent games is likely to start, and there could be the first start for Denis Suarez from a wide position. Those two players along with Ozil could lineup in support of striker Aubameyang.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Cech; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Sokratis, Kolasinac; Torreira, Guendouzi; Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Suarez; Aubameyang
Key Stats
- Rennes will be the 10th different French team that Arsenal have faced in all European competition.
- The Gunners have beaten each of the previous nine French sides they’ve met. Arsenal have never lost an away game against French opposition (W8 D5 L0).
- Rennes will be hosting an English side for only the second time in their history, and for the first time since July 2001.
- This is the sixteenth successive campaign in which Arsenal have reached the last 16 of a major European competition, a run that began in 2003-04.
- Rennes attacker Ismalia Sarr has been directly involved in five goals in the Europa League this season (three goals, two assists); more than any other player for the French side.
Player to Watch
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Gabonese striker hit the headlines last weekend after his penalty miss that could have potentially sealed three points for Arsenal against arch-rivals Tottenham. All eyes will be on him when the Gunners take on Rennes as his response is awaited. But more importantly, with Lacazette absent for both legs, the pressure will be on Aubameyang to deliver the goods up front.
Aubameyang’s form in front of goal has been somewhat patchy of late, with the Gabonese star scoring far less frequently in recent games than expected of him and he would be hoping to change that. Arsenal need their top-scorer to get back among goals and put the horror miss against Spurs behind, to push for the Europa League title as well as a top-four in the Premier League.
Prediction
Rennes 1-2 Arsenal
The Rennes clash is not anticipated to be a walk in the park for Arsenal by any standards. The French side are competitive and have been in a good run of form of late. Although Arsenal are favourites on paper, this will surely not be an easy game. The Gunners have the edge with squad depth and overall quality of players and that could be the factor that leads Arsenal to an important victory in France.
