Arsenal vs Rennes 15/03/19

15 March 2019

An underwhelming performance in France has cost Arsenal a disastrous 3-1 loss as they now search for a miracle at the Emirates Stadium to dump Rennes out of the Europa League.

The hosts go into this encounter off the back of an encouraging 2-0 home win over Manchester United, which was their fifth consecutive home triumph across all competitions. The Gunners have been impressive in London over the past three months, securing eight wins in nine clashes (W8, L1). In that period, Unai Emery’s men have bagged 2+ match goals in every victory, restricting their rivals to a maximum of one goal per match each time. Additionally, Arsenal have picked up three wins in four EL home outings this campaign, failing to keep a clean sheet only once along the way. The Premier League giants now go after their seventh home win over French sides in Europe (W6, D3, L3) having won both of their previous two H2H home meetings with the Ligue 1 clubs.

Meanwhile, the visitors are enjoying something of a purple patch having won four of their last five games across all competitions (W4, D1). Although Les Rouges et Noirs have failed to keep a clean sheet in four of their previous five competitive clashes, they’ve managed to notch over 2.5 goals per match three times in that period. However, far more comfortable at home, Julien Stéphan’s players have lost three of their last five road encounters, conceding 2+ match goals in each failure, while scoring one goal or less. Rennes’ indifferent road form (W2, L2) could be a potential setback although both of their EL away triumphs have arrived in their last two appearances. Interestingly, three of their previous four road victories have seen them beat their rivals to nil, with Stéphan’s men scoring 2+ match goals three times in the process.