UEL R16 1st Leg: Rennes v Arsenal | March 7, 2019 17:55 GMT | BT Sport

[A_G]

• Sides have never met in UEFA competition
• Čech played for Rennes from 2002–2004
• Rennes' sole previous experience of English opposition is a 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup semi-final against Aston Villa that they lost on away goals (2-1 home, 0-1 away).
• In contrast this is Arsenal's 25th UEFA fixture against opponents from France, and they have never lost any of the 12 away matches, winning eight. Indeed, they were on a seven-match winning streak until their most recent encounter, a 1-1 draw at Paris Saint-Germain in the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League group stage.

Team News:
Lacazette suspended

Possible Lineup:

 

[say yes]

Would rotate heavily for this. United game is crucial and they’re going to have an extra day’s rest.

Would probably play some kind of 352 formation with Suarez and Özil behind Aubameyang.

 

[krackpot]

Voted for a win without hesitation because @American_Gooner started the match thread.

 

[lamby22]

Would be tempted to rest Mkhi for this game - but it might interrupt his run of good form. With the Utd game in mind I'd think about resting one of the centre backs but that would mean Mustafi.

 

[OnlyOne]

Completely agree about rotating pretty heavily tbh. If we go and beat United we're back in front on the top 4 race and don't really have to worry about needing others to drop points.

While our remaining fixtures might not be 'easy' they are all definitely winnable.

I hope we in this. Going for a 1-0 with a really boring and very slow game.

 

[razörist]

Wanna see Jenks instead of Lichtsteiner

 

[field442]

I expect Mkhi, Xhaka, and Kos to be rested from the players included in that lineup. Monreal will probably be rested with the Utd game in mind as well. We'll still have a strong lineup without those 4 in any case.

 

[Sniper Mik]

Seems like there's gonna be a hell of an atmosphere

 

[say yes]

I’d play something like this:

—————— Aubameyang ———————
—————Özil* ———-- Suarez —————
Kolasinac** - Torreira - Elneny - Jenkinson
——— Koscielny - Sokratis - Mustafi ———
————————— Cech —————————

* Ramsey instead if Emery wants to start Özil vs. United.
** Monreal instead if Emery wants to start Kola vs. United.

Would enable us to start the same front 6 we used against Sp**s fully rested against United.

Although a back 4 might be better because it means we can rest Koscielny.

 

[Mark Tobias]

- Mustafi ———
.

Where are the cameras? Is this a reality prank show?

 

[HBL]

Aubameyang
Iwobi - Özil - Mkhi
Douzi - Torreira
Kolasinac - Kosc - Sokratis - AMN
Cech​

 

[krackpot]

—————Özil*

* Ramsey instead if Emery wants to start Özil vs. United..

Where are you hiding the hallucinogens?

Emery would never do this, even though I want him to

 

[Rex Stone]

I’d rather keep Özil and Ramsey fresh for Sunday but it’s not going to happen.

Also hope Jenkinson plays again, I’d want AMN at right back against Utd as well.

 

[hydrofluoric acid]

Hoping for Nketiah to start here!

 

[Vinci]

Think Kos could do with a rest, played a lot since returning from injury and picked up a few knocks here and there lately.

Emery might just play for the draw again and then finish the job at home, which would be fine with the game against United being a crucial one.

Aubameyang
Suarez Ramsey Özil
Xhaka Torreira
Kolasinac Sokratis Mustafi Lichtsteiner
Cech​

 

[tap-in]

The only reason we should rotate is fatigue, and the only player who falls into that category is Kos. The UL is still our best chance of getting CL next season, we have to aim to win this away leg, don't mess around playing for a draw, just win it by as much as possible. I know Laca cant play this so he will get a rest anyway. Having said that, Laca & Auba have both been rested recently and it hasn't done either of them any favours. If a player is playing well ie Mhki, keep them playing, don't rest them.

 

[Sniper Mik]

I feel if we hadn't fvcked up against BATE Emery would have rotated quite a bit for this. Might be too wary now

 

[Taylor Gang Gunners]

Rennes have progressed beyond the group stages and the last 32 for a reason- we can’t take them too lightly.

Yes, it’s a team we should be beating comfortably, but **** me, so was BATE . Go with a strong team, and if we’re able to get the job done in good time, save some legs.

I’d go;

Cech
Lich Kos Sok Nacho
Torreira Xhaka
Iwobi Özil Mkhitaryan
Aubameyang

Lacazette can’t play this and will presumably start on Sunday, as will Ramsey who could exploit McTominay who’s absolutely awful. Torreira will be suspended for Sunday and he strikes me as the time to want to make amends with a stellar display.

Give Mkhi an hour and replace him with Suarez. Same with Xhaka- replace him with Guendouzi. That way the lads will be fresh whilst having the opportunity to continue their good form.

Would love a clean sheet and with the Kos and Sok connection, it’s very much possible. Cech worries me- he could well slap one in but let’s hope he doesn’t face too many shots.

Big game, lets try kill it in the first leg.

COYG!

 

[Mo Britain]

It's simple: if we put our first XI out for this game we won't win on Sunday for sure and the CL probably drifts away from us. All we need is to keep this tie alive for the home leg and win it there.

Emery should be able to leave half a dozen starters out of the line-up and still get a result there but he's not going to so it's win the Europa League or no CL next year.

 

[ClubLevel]

Lets not forget that United have injury worries of their own and because they are stubborn and 'United' they will think they can go to Paris and win so will field the strongest possible line up there which may work in our favour.