Arsenal will face Stade Rennes in the Europa League round of 16 fixture on Thursday. The first leg between these two sides ended with a scoreline of 3-1 in favour of the Gunners. However, the Gunners will be desperate to make a comeback at their home ground to stay in Europe. In the first leg, the red card of Sokratis played a big part in the defeat of the Gunners. Arsenal were completely outplayed against Stade Rennes in the French soil and they had surrendered against the top quality Stade Rennes side who were unbeatable that day.
However, now the tie is still in the hand of the Gunners as they can progress to the next round of the Europa League with a 2-0 win at the Emirates. So, they will now try to give their all in this match to go through to the quarter final of this tournament.
Team News :
Arsenal :
The Gunners will be missing their dependable centre back Sokratis in this match as the player was shown a red card in the previous leg. So, it is expected that the centre back pair comprising of Mustafi and Koscielny will play in this vital match for the Gunners. As usual, Bernd Leno might be rested in the Europa League and Petr Cech can take his place under the bars for the Gunners. However, there is a chance that Bernd Leno gets the nod ahead of Petr Cech as the Gunners will not have any match in this weekend.
Arsenal are currently situated situated at the fourth position in the League Table of the Premier League. They have collected 60 points so far. On the other hand, Manchester United have collected 58 points and they are situated at the fifth position in the League Table. Chelsea have collected 57 points and they are situated at the sixth position. However, they have one more match in their hand which will be played in this weekend.
Maitland Niles and Nacho Monreal are most likely to start against Stade Rennes on Thursday as the two side backs. Guendouzi and Torreira will be there as two holding midfielders while the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi will be there in the attacking midfield of the Gunners. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is most likely to start as the lone centre-forward for the Gunners in this match.
Stade Rennes :
Stade Rennes have no major injury concerns and their approach will be defensive in this match as they have a healthy lead in their hand. Ben Arfa, Honou will wish to convert the chances that will come into their way. However, they should remember the comebacks of the various top European sides in the second leg after a defeat in the first leg of the tie in the Champions League.
Predicted Starting Eleven :
Arsenal :
Goalkeeper : Cech
Defenders : Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal.
Midfielders : Guendouzi, Torreira; Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Iwobi.
Forwards : Aubameyang.
Rennes :
Goalkeeper : Koubek
Defenders : Traore, Silva, Mexer, Bensebaini.
Midfielders : Sarr, Andre, Grenier, Bourigeaud.
Forwards : Ben Arfa, Hunou.
My Predicted Scoreline :
Arsenal 2-1 Rennes
