Arsenal welcome Rennes to Emirates Stadium as they look to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie.
Victory for the Gunners will see them reach the Quarter-Finals for the second consecutive season, whilst this would be Rennes’ best run in a major UEFA competition since winning the 2008 Intertoto Cup.
Team news
Alexandre Lacazette is available to return for Arsenal after his three match ban was reduced to two.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is a doubt with a back strain whilst Sokratis Papastathopoulos is suspended after his sending off in the first leg.
Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding both remain sidelined with knee injuries whilst Danny Welbeck is still out with an ankle injury.
Rennes have no fresh concerns with Romain Danze ( and Rafik Guitane both still long-term absentees.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have advanced from just one of their last three UEFA knockout ties in which they lost the first leg.
- Arsenal’s last seven goals in this competition have all come from different goal scorers (excluding own goals in their favour).
- Rennes have scored just once in two of their last three Europa League away games.
Prediction
It’s hard to say which Arsenal we will see here because to go from a 3-1 away defeat to comfortably beating Manchester United on Sunday, is quite something and raises questions over where their priorities are.
Rennes therefore need to just play how they did in first leg as long as they get that one goal which could make all the difference.
Do that then they will be through regardless of if Arsenal win, which is something I wouldn’t bet against given their impressive home record.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Rennes
Result: Arsenal 3-0 Rennes (Arsenal win 4-3 on aggregate)