In a rough and tumble night in North London, Arsenal beat Rennes 3-0 to advance in the Europa League.
The Gunners overturned their 3-1 first leg defeat in supreme style at home (with a little help from the lack of VAR). We rated every player out of 10, who got what? Read on and find out!
Arsenal
Petr Cech – 5/10
Didn’t really have much to do.
Shkodran Mustafi – 5/10
Somehow he managed to look really ropey even as Arsenal dominated the game.
Laurent Koscielny – 6/10
Solid as ever.
Nacho Monreal – 7/10
Had Ismaila Sarr in his pocket all night long.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 8/10
Lovely bit of measured, creative play to help Arsenal bag the opening goal. And then a supreme back-post header to give the Gunners an aggregate lead soon after. Worked hard all night and defended manfully. Excellent stuff.
Granit Xhaka – 6/10
Kept the ball ticking over.
Aaron Ramsey – 8/10
Superb run and cross to make the opening goal and a wonderfully deft first-time pass to help create the second. Absolutely relentless all over the pitch and Arsenal’s standout player. His should-have-been-assist for Aubameyang in the 81st minute was liquid football. Withdrawn to a standing ovation at the death.
Sead Kolasinac – 7/10
Some superb forward runs was balanced out by a couple of impressive defensive interventions. One block on Ismaila Sarr was particularly good. Delivered an absolutely majestic assist fizzed across the Emirates surface for Arsenal’s third goal.
Mesut Ozil – 5/10
You know those games that Mesut Ozil’s critics point to as evidence that he’s not up to much? Yeah, this was one of those. Wasn’t bad, wasn’t good, was just sorta there. Withdrawn for Iwobi after 69 minutes.
Alexandre Lacazette – 6/10
Worked his socks off defensively and functioned as a quality attacking pivot despite limited service after the 30th minute. Replaced by Mkhitaryan after 69 minutes.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 9/10
Sharp finish to give Arsenal an early lead and a great cross to create the second (although he was a mile offside). Went quiet for much of the match but then showed up in the right place at the right time to tap home Arsenal’s third. Missed two great chances for his hat-trick but the man with the Black Panther mask was an undoubted superstar. Auba Forever!
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 7/10
Came on for Lacazette after 69 minutes. Instantly took control of the game and helped create Arsenal’s third goal.
Alex Iwobi – 6/10
Came on for Ozil after 69 minutes. Looked bright.
Lucas Torreira – n/a
Came on for Ramsey after 87 minutes.
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Rennes
Tomas Koubek – 6/10
Some ropey moments coming out of his goal, but an overall solid performance even though he conceded three goals.
Hamari Traore – 5/10
Ran up and down the touch-line but didn’t have enough of an impact in attack.
Damien da Silva – 6/10
Coped fairly well with the pressure from the electric Arsenal front-line. An overhead kick clearance to stop Lacazette going 1v1 the standout.
Mexer – 5/10
Less impressive than his defensive partner but still thwarted the Gunners.
Rami Bensebaini – 4/10
Coped well with Aubameyang’s pace, although tricky movement exposed him for Arsenal’s first two goals.
Ismaila Sarr – 4/10
Had little to no impact on the game. Rarely showed for the ball and did little when on it, too. Hugely disappointing.
Benjamin Andre – 6/10
Happy to put himself about, tackling anything in a red and white shirt. Grew more and more agitated as the match wore on. Was withdrawn with just over 10 to play.
Clement Grenier – 6/10
Constantly competed even though he ended up getting kicked around a whole lot. Talked himself into the book in the second half. Competed well but was subbed off with 20 to play.
Benjamin Bourigeaud – 6/10
Creative when on the ball, but failed to light the game up as he did in the first leg.
Hatem Ben Arfa – 6/10
Sadly anonymous for 80 minutes, then suddenly remembered he was in a game of football. Spent the last 10 minutes driving hard at Arsenal. Where was that commitment earlier?!
M’Baye Niang – 5/10
Mostly starved of service. Delicious backheel to put Hunou through.
Adrien Hunou – 5/10
Came on for Grenier after 69 minutes. Missed a sitter (although he had been ruled offside).
James Lea Siliki – n/a
Came on for Andre after 78 minutes.
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