Arsenal will face French side Rennes in the Europa League Round of 16 tomorrow at the Roahzon Park.
The race for the top 4 places has heated up considerably and it means that Unai Emery will be all the more keen to carry on his fantastic record in the European competition.
Their opponents, Stade Rennes are having an average domestic season, sitting in the 10th spot on the league table. But in Europe, they have looked a different side and have progressed to his round after an exhilarating 6-4 two-legged tie win against Real Betis.
But Arsenal will pose a different level of test altogether for the French side and the Gunners are overwhelming favourites going into the match.
ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
Unai Emery will miss the services of Alexandre Lacazette who is suspended for this clash while the trio of Danny Welbeck, Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding are long-term absentees. Carl Jenkinson and Stephan Lichtsteiner have not travelled with the squad while Nketiah has been included.
PREDICTED ARSENAL LINEUP VS RENNES (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
Bernd Leno will make way for Petr Cech tomorrow. The veteran keeper has been preferred in the Europa League and that is unlikely to change at this stage.
We might see Emery opt for four at the back ahead of the crucial fixture against Manchester United at the weekend.
Laurent Koscielny and Sokratis have looked good together and should be handed a chance to get into an even better rhythm in central defence.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is likely to start at right-back and he will look to pose an attacking threat on the night.
Sead Kolasinac was rested against Spurs and could start ahead of Nacho Monreal here.
MIDFIELD
Lucas Torreira will have to serve a 3-match domestic suspension after his ban was upheld today. Thus, he will surely start tomorrow in the double pivot with Granit Xhaka his likely partner. Matteo Guendouzi will come back in the weekend.
ATTACK
Aaron Ramsey started in the no.10 role on Saturday but he is likely to be replaced by Mesut Ozil as has been the apparent norm in recent weeks.
Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are expected to retain their places on the wings while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead the line.
