Arsenal will entertain Rennes at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night hoping to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first-leg. The Gunners face a tough task of winning this clash by at least two goals if they are to secure a passage through to the next round of the competition.
Unai Emery is expected to opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation and will be boosted by the availability of Alexandre Lacazette for this European encounter.
4-2-3-1 Arsenal Predicted Lineup To Face Rennes
Defence
Emery could opt for Petr Cech in goal as he has often done in the UEFA Europa League this season. The veteran keeper will be protected by the centre-half duo of Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny as they look to keep things tidy at the back for the home team. Sokratis is suspended for this game, so Arsenal will have no choice but to go with a defensive reshuffle on Thursday night.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles might get the opportunity to start at right-back while Nacho Monreal looks to link up play with Iwobi down the left flank. Sead Kolasinac, who has arguably been one of Arsenal’s players of the season so far, will likely start on the bench but could come on to make an impact in the second half if needed.
Anything other than a clean sheet will make things difficult for the Gunners as they would then need to score three goals to keep their UEFA Europa League hopes alive. Emery would hope that his back four won’t make any mistakes during the game and will be able to restrict the Rennes attackers from scoring on the night.
Midfield
Both Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira will get a chance to impress in midfield as the dynamic duo looks to dictate play and establish Arsenal’s dominance at the middle of the park. The talented trio of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi will operate ahead of them as part of Emery’s attack.
Ozil tends to come alive in these games as he can unlock any defence with his incredible vision and weight of pass. Hence, we can expect him to have a good game if the Gunners are to overturn the 3-1 deficit from the first-leg.
Attack
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead the line for the North London outfit up top. The Gabonese forward has a terrific goal-scoring record at home so he will fancy his chances against Rennes in midweek.
According to Sky Sports, Alexandre Lacazette has been cleared to feature in this game after his three-match ban was reduced by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body. Emery might opt to use him from the bench if the Gunners need a goal in the second half.
