Iwobi Away Strike Offers 10-Man Arsenal Hope In Rennes Defeat

7th March 2019 - by SPN Correspondent

Greek defender Sokratis sent-off in the first half as Gunners surrender to 3-1 defeat in France in first leg of Europa League knockout tie

Rennes' French forward Hatem Ben Arfa (C) vies with Arsenal's Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos (R) during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg football match between Stade Rennais FC and Arsenal FC at the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes, northwestern France on March 7, 2019. PHOTO/AFP

SUMMARY

The Gunners could not have got off to a better start as, with just four minutes on the clock, the visitors took the lead with a goal that had more than an element of luck about it
But the home side, roared on by a vociferous, partizan crowd packed into Roazhon Park, were not about to go down easily despite our dominance and they were offered a way back into the game when Sokratis was sent off for a second bookable offence
It left Arsenal mountain to climb in the return leg, in the fight to keep their Europa League campaign alive and make the quarterfinals for the second season in a row

RENNES, France- Arsenal FC have it all to do to qualify for the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa League after losing 1-3 in Stade Rennes in Britany on Thursday night in a game they went down to 10 men when Greek defender Sokratis was sent off in the first half.

The Gunners could not have got off to a better start as, with just four minutes on the clock, the visitors took the lead with a goal that had more than an element of luck about it.

It came as Alex Iwobi collected the ball to the left of the area, dragged the ball back to hold off two defenders and curled it across goal – only to see it evade everyone and fly in off the post.

Lucas Torreira would test Rennes goalkeeper Tomas Koubek almost immediately, while Iwobi continued to threaten down the left and nearly added to his tally with a firm effort.

But the home side, roared on by a vociferous, partizan crowd packed into Roazhon Park, were not about to go down easily despite our dominance and they were offered a way back into the game when Sokratis was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Body blow

It was a bodyblow, but worse was to follow as, from the resulting free kick in the 42nd, Benjamin Bourigeaud found the top corner after his initial effort had struck the wall.

Arsenal's Nigerian striker Alex Iwobi celebrates their opener after a Rennes' own goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg football match between Stade Rennais FC and Arsenal FC at the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes, northwestern France on March 7, 2019. PHOTO/AFP

Head coach Unai Emery reshaped his side at the interval, with Shkodran Mustafi moving inside to partner Laurent Koscielny and Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving to right back, and Rennes moved on to the front foot as they tried to make their man advantage count.

Former Rennes goalkeeper Petr Cech was now at the heart of the action, saving twice from Bourigeaud and once from the dangerous Ismaila Sarr as the hosts pushed on.

Hatem Ben Arfa then saw a free kick pushed over by the Arsenal number one, but he could do nothing to prevent the hosts taking the lead through a cross that deflected off Nacho Monreal and into the top corner.

Cech continued to impress as the Gunners fought to stay in the game, but with just two minutes remaining Sarr headed in at the far post to put Arsenal further in trouble.

It left Arsenal mountain to climb in the return leg, in the fight to keep their Europa League campaign alive and make the quarterfinals for the second season in a row.

-Read more about the Gunners here

Arsenal defender Sokratis is sent off during during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg football match between Stade Rennais FC and the Gunners at the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes, northwestern France on March 7, 2019. PHOTO/Arsenal FC