Arsenal will look to overturn a 3-1 deficit when they host Rennes at the Emirates in a few hours time. The Gunners had a nightmare first leg in France, especially after Sokratis’ red card but on home turf, Unai Emery will be confident of a comeback.
Arsenal are coming on the back of a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Manchester United last week and will be feeling positive regarding their top four prospects after Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur both dropped points.
ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
In what has come as a huge boost, Alexandre Lacazette’s 3-match ban has been reduced to a 2-match ban which he has already served.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed the last game with a back injury and will face a late fitness test. Sokratis is suspended while Rod Holding, Hector Bellerin and Danny Welbeck are long-term absentees.
PREDICTED ARSENAL LINEUP vs RENNES (3-4-2-1)
DEFENCE
Petr Cech is expected to start in goal. Emery might be tempted to go with Bernd Leno in this must-win match but Cech has to be backed to put in a solid display.
Shkodran Mustafi is expected to come into the backline due to Sokratis’ enforced absence. Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal are expected to be the other two in the 3-man backline.
MIDFIELD
Lucas Torreira is currently in the midst of a domestic ban which is likely to make him a guaranteed starter. Granit Xhaka is one yellow card away from a 1-match ban but that is unlikely to deter Emery from handing him a start.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac put in excellent performances on the flanks against United and they should retain their places.
ATTACK
Alex Iwobi and Aaron Ramsey should start in the attacking midfield slots. Mesut Ozil started the last two games and might be used as an option off the bench today.
Up front, we expect Alexandre Lacazette to get the nod if Emery decides to go with one up front.
