Thursday evening, at 20:00, Arsenal and Rennes are due on the Emirates Stadium in the second hand of the UEFA Europa League. With just two defeats in the last 23 home games, Arsenal must recover the deficit in the tour, where the Londoners gave up 1-3. The “guns” offensive is in good shape and should be ravaged with the French.
Arsenal has been in excellent shape lately, and it seemed that things were going according to the Unai Emery plan, after Alex Iwobi opened the first-hand game (4th minute). But Sokratis was eliminated just before the break and the hosts came back with Bourigeaud (’42), Monreal (’65) and Sarr (’88), after a braga-dominated game. Besides the match with Rennes, Arsenal played excellent against Southampton (2-0), Bournemouth (5-1), Tottenham (1-1) and Manchester United (2-0) and the Emirates team is full fighting for a Top 4 ranking in the Premier League. However, winning the Europa League trophy would bring the “tuners” the qualification in the upcoming Champions League, which is why the return with Rennes is of utmost importance to the Londoners.
On the other hand, Rennes is in a brilliant form and comes out of excellent internal results. After the draw with Marseille (1-1), Rennes won the Cup, in front of Orleans (2-0), but also in the championship, in front of Caen (3-1). The Breton are in 8th place in France (38-35 golaver) and have 7 points to the 4th place, which again leads to the European Cups. There are some interesting statistical details before the Thursday night’s duel. Arsenal won only 5 of the previous 12 home games against the Hexagon bands, but the English qualified in 4 of the last 5 European double hanks, with the French. It will be an interesting duel for the hosts from France, who will attack the opponent.
With goals scored in 13 of the last 14 away games in all competitions, Rennes knows he has the ability to score in Arsenal’s goal, even if the defensiveness of the guests will be put to the test. Rennes received a goal in the first half in 4 of the previous 5 games, and the French will be holding the ball as far away from its own goal in the first 45 minutes. Arsenal has not received a goal in 6 of the last 8 matches of the Europa League, but history shows us that the “guns” will hardly return the score: the Londoners have qualified only 3 times in 13 European double hanks after a failure in the first match. But there are no big boss problems at the hosts, who can not bet Bellerin, Holding and Welbeck. From Rennes absent injuries Baal, Danze, Guitane, Siebatcheu and Diallo.
ARSENAL – RENNES PROBABILITY TEAMS
Arsenal: Cech; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Guendouzi, Torreira; Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Iwobi; Aubameyang
Rennes: Koubek; Traore, Silva, Mexer, Bensebain; Sarr, Andre, Grenier, Bourigeaud; Ben Arfa, Hun
PREDICTION: Over 2,5 goals @ 1,48
