10-man Arsenal require a monumental effort in the second leg of their Europa League round-of-16 clash against Rennes after Sokratis Papastathopoulos first-half red card sparked a 3-1 defeat.
Nigeria winger Alex Iwobi gave Thursday’s visitors to Roazhon Park a great start, courtesy of his fluky third-minute goal. Greece centre-back Sokratis, however, received two quick-fire bookings and was dismissed on 41 minutes.
From the subsequent free-kick, winger Benjamin Bourigeaud bludgeoned in a superb drive from a rebound to level up. Rennes then dominated after the interval, Sloppy Spain left-back Nacho Monreal’s deflection and Senegal wide man Ismaila Sarr’s diving header inflicting a first-ever European away defeat in France on the Gunners.
The sides meet again at Emirates Stadium on March 15.
Here are the Gunners’ player ratings:
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1)
Petr Cech 8: Back at the club he represented from 2002-04, the Czech veteran was outstanding. Kept out several long-range shots from Hatem Ben Arfa. Could have been much worse, if not for him.
Shkodran Mustafi 5: Usual mixed bag from the once Germany international. Dragged a decent 31st-minute chance wide. Soldiered on after early injury.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos 4: Soft cautions seven minutes apart saw him given his marching orders before the break. This killed all the Gunners’ early momentum, plus sent Rennes on their way to a threatening advantage.
Laurent Koscielny 6: Former Lorient defender attempted to dig in against waves of home attacks. Angered by Sarr dive after interval. Helpless for goals.
Nacho Monreal 3: Spain utility man hung out a leg and deflected in the valuable second for resurgent Rennes. Unforgivably, lost ball in build-up and declined to get back for Sarr’s bullet header for third.
Granit Xhaka 5: Picked up his standard booking, this time for a foul on Ben Arfa. Attempted to plug gaps in midfield as Arsenal retreated with 10 men. Fortunate not to pick up second booking.
Lucas Torreira 5: Uruguay anchor man started, in part because of his domestic suspension. First-time strike in 12th minute was well saved. Over-run as tie progressed.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan 5: Played most the match in the odd position of right-back, thanks to Sokratis’ dismissal. Combined well in first 20 minutes with Ozil, then faded.
Mesut Ozil 5: Back in the XI, but deemed a luxury before the 70-minute mark and hooked. Once Arsenal went down to 10 men, this was not a game for the ex-Germany playmaker’s refined skills. Took too much time over second-half shot, shooting centrally.
Alex Iwobi 6: Cross-shot crept in at the back post to gift Arsenal perfect start. Few nice touches, elsewhere.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 5: Toiled up top, receiving piecemeal service from Ozil and Mkhitaryan. Brought off late on, maybe with an eye on Sunday’s critical clash with Manchester United.
SUBSTITUTES
Matteo Guendouzi 4: Ex-Lorient starlet’s every touch was booed. His introduction at interval led to a reshuffle. Cowardly attempt to block cross led to Monreal own goal.
Aaron Ramsey 5: Trusted to see out the strained final throes. Couldn’t, however, ensure Rennes’ drive was halted.
Sead Kolasinac N/A: Thrown on to add ballast on left flank. Nowhere for third goal.