Arsenal vs rennes preview, starting 11, prediction

Lucky us…

It’s a great time to be an Arsenal fan with the recent upturn in results, and today represents another opportunity to show just how consistent we can be when the pressure is on.

Arsenal lost 3-1 to Rennes last week Thursday and will therefore need to win by 2 clear goals to qualify. Where it gets tricky is if Rennes score 2 goals or more today. That will leave us needing to win by 3 clear goals because of the away goal rule.

Dont worry…

If your’e an Arsenal fan then you’ve had more than your fair share of disappointment and heart break over the years. That said, today isn’t likely to be one of those days.

I draw this confidence from the sheer brilliance of Arsenal’s home form this season. Unai has turned Arsenal into one of Europe’s best home teams.

Our haul of 2.56 points per home game is the 6th best in the top 5 European leagues, better than Barcelona and Bayern’s 2.36 and 2.5 respectively.

I am not overconfident and neither should the players be, but there is a real belief that overturning the deficit, and thus going through to the next round is very achievable.

Predicted Line up…

If you can call Unai Emery anything this season, call him unpredictable. His choice of starting 11 has left gooners the world over scratching their heads time and time again. They have worked out for the most part evidenced by where we are at this point in the season, in poll position for a top 4 finish.

That said, you’d be hard pressed to find a gooner who doesn’t think we should go with the same team that started the game against United at the weekend, bar Sokratis who is suspended.

Lacazette’s sudden availability is also a huge lift.

Torreira’s availability is not lost on me, but i still think we should start with him on the bench. I also think Cech will start as he is the designated cup goalkeeper.

Prediction…

The players should be motivated enough to put in a huge performance, and with the fans behind them and the emirates in full uproar, a delightful mixture of power, patience, and potency is likely in the offing.

ARSENAL 4-1 RENNES

Arsenal vs Everton Civilized player ratings

Arsenal beat Everton 2-0 on Sunday in an open game with lots of chances at both ends.

Where Arsenal took theirs, Everton failed to convert with Petr Cech denying them on several occasions…

Here are the ratings:

Petr Cech 10/10 –

10/10 is not something I give easily, but when a goal keeper does every thing right then you have to call it a perfect performance and that’s what Cech had, a perfect performance. Man of the Match for me.

Hector Bellerin 6/10 –

Always good offensively but not so much defensively. Richarlison turned him inside out.

Mustafi 6/10 –

Decent performance. Making less mistakes these days. Long may that continue.

Sokratis 6/10 – went off injured. I really hope it’s nothing too serious cos dude is a pretty decent defender.

Monreal 7/10 – Did very well offensively but not so great defensively. It might be more of a tactical issue rather than an individual one because he was exposed by Walcott on several occasions especially due to the high line we were keeping.

Torreira 8/10 –

Had a very decent full premier league debut. Got stuck in often and broke up play at the nick of time on several occasions.

Xhaka 6/10 –

Was pretty solid though nearly made a costly error during one of his usual momentary lapses in concentration.

Ramsey 5/10 –

I wasn’t too impressed with him to be honest. I didn’t really feel his impact in this game.

Ozil 5/10 –

Pretty much the same as Ramsey. No contribution of note.

Aubameyang 6/10 –

Scored a goal, which to be fair should’ve been an offside. Had problems with controlling the ball first time on several occasions. Needs to work on that.

Lacazette 7/10 –

Scored a beautiful striker’s goal. Worked very hard as well.

Subs:

Holding 5/10 –

Came on and immediately tried to go on a solo run and lost the ball. Was just okay on the defensive side. Should have done better with this opportunity to play.

Iwobi – Not on long enough to rate.

Welbeck – Not on long enough to rate.