Arsenal travelled to France yesterday in preparation for tonight's Europa League Last 16 First Leg tie against Rennes, who currently sit tenth in Ligue 1. After a frustrating draw last time out against Tottenham in the league, the Gunners will be looking to return to winning ways here and will be equally as keen to get the tie dead and buried early.
Without the suspended Alex Lacazette who'll miss both legs against Rennes and the first game in the next round (should we get there), Unai Emery named his travelling squad yesterday. With only Bellerin, Holding and Welbeck out injured, the Head Coach has included all the usual first team faces minus Lacazette. The Frenchman has to settle with watching the game from his living room after a needless swinging arm against BATE Borisov in the last round. Him aside, it is a strong squad. A squad with various options, various types of player and varying levels of European football experience. It's packed with talent, more than that of Rennes and on paper is good enough to dispatch the French hosts easily. However, football isn't won on paper, and Rennes will be keen to frustrate Arsenal for as long as possible with deep defending and counter attacking play. Keeping the scoreline low or as level as possible will play into their hands ahead of their away leg next week. However, Arsenal can and should bag a few valuable away goals as they bid to close the tie out as quickly as possible. Any sniff or any door left ajar, Rennes will be happy to take advantage of next week.
After seeing Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang drop out of the starting XI against Spurs, both are very likely to come back in. Aaron Ramsey started at the weekend and is likely to start again against United on Sunday so he'll probably sit this one out on the bench - and in an ideal world, won't be risked at all. In defence, Maitland-Niles or Lichtsteiner needs to come in to sure up the right full back spot after Mustafi deputised last weekend. A weird one for the German and clearly not his position but after a silly mistake in barging Harry Kane, he should equally be sitting this one out. Laurent Koscielny and Sokratis (in a back four) have looked pretty solid of late and are expected to start against Rennes. A back four should be the order of the day and this allows far more attacking football, and with Torreira the likely starter in the centre of midfield, the defensive unit will be well-protected. In what could be a 4-2-3-1, Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are the likely wingers whilst Ozil could play at number ten. Granit Xhaka or Matteo Guendouzi will play the pivot role alongside Torreira.
One-time Premier League stars Hatem Ben-Arfa and M'Baye Niang headline Rennes' squad, and both are heavily relied upon to make things happen. The former Newcastle and Watford men really get Rennes going with attacking football, and are often the dangermen to keep an eye on. Sitting mid-table in France, Rennes have had a mixed season so far - one would say the Europa League has curtailed their press for a top six finish this time around but I'm sure they'll say they've enjoyed the ride of European football. Even at home, Rennes will look to play counter attacking football, going all guns blazing if and when the right opportunity arises. They will be wary of the likes of Aubameyang, Iwobi and Kolasinac with pace in behind so may sit deep and look to keep Arsenal's play in front of their back line - especially for the opening half hour or so. But, at home, the hosts will be looking to score whilst keeping Arsenal out the other end.
This could and should play into Emery's hands a little as he hopefully gives Ozil free reign in midfield to really get the clock ticking. The German can unlock almost any defence and should be allowed to take charge again tomorrow. Without Lacazette in the side, Aubameyang will be a true lone striker, a role that needs supporting midfielders and creative play close by. It may be a tricky opening stanza for the Gunners but across ninety minutes, it should ward a positive result and be a fairly comfortable night. With options throughout the squad, if his starting XI can't get the job done, Emery will have plenty on the bench to bury Rennes before they come to London next week.
Expected lineup:
GK: Petr Cech
RB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CB: Sokratis
CB: Laurent Koscielny
LB: Sead Kolasinac
CM: Lucas Torreira
CM: Granit Xhaka
RW: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
CAM: Mesut Ozil
LW: Alex Iwobi
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: 2-0 to Arsenal, with Aubameyang back on the score sheet.
@craigbennett10
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