Arsenal face a major uphill if they are to reach the Europa League quarter-finals after a disheartening 3-1 defeat away to Rennes in France on Thursday, despite Alex Iwobi putting the Gunners ahead early on. Iwobi’s goal gave the Premier League side the perfect start in this last 16, first leg at the raucous Roazhon Park, but the match changed four minutes before half time when Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos was shown a second yellow card.
Benjamin Bourigeaud equalised for the French club minutes later, and the pressure Rennes mounted in the second-half paid off as a Nacho Monreal gifted goal put Rennes ahead before Ismaila Sarr’s late header gave them a two-goal cushion in the tie.
Unai Emery’s side must now turn the tie around in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next Thursday if they are to progress any further in a competition which is their only hope of silverware this season as well as offering a potential route into next season’s Champions League.
Arsenal were missing French striker Alexandre Lacazette, who is suspended for both legs of this tie after being sent off against BATE in Belarus.
