Rennes 3-1 Arsenal: Sokratis sees red, Mesut Ozil blows chance and Nacho Monreal is sloppy

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  • 10-man Arsenal require a monumental effort in the second leg of their Europa League round-of-16 clash against Rennes after Sokratis Papastathopoulos first-half red card sparked a 3-1 defeat.

    Nigeria winger Alex Iwobi gave Thursday’s visitors to Roazhon Park a great start, courtesy of his fluky third-minute goal. Greece centre-back Sokratis, however, received two quick-fire bookings and was dismissed on 41 minutes.

    From the subsequent free-kick, winger Benjamin Bourigeaud bludgeoned in a superb drive from a rebound to level up. Rennes then dominated after the interval, Sloppy Spain left-back Nacho Monreal’s deflection and Senegal wide man Ismaila Sarr’s diving header inflicting a first-ever European away defeat in France on the Gunners.

    The sides meet again at Emirates Stadium on March 15.

    Here are the Gunners’ player ratings:

    ARSENAL (4-2-3-1)

    Petr Cech 8: Back at the club he represented from 2002-04, the Czech veteran was outstanding. Kept out several long-range shots from Hatem Ben Arfa. Could have been much worse, if not for him.

    Shkodran Mustafi 5: Usual mixed bag from the once Germany international. Dragged a decent 31st-minute chance wide. Soldiered on after early injury.

    Sokratis Papastathopoulos 4: Soft cautions seven minutes apart saw him given his marching orders before the break. This killed all the Gunners’ early momentum, plus sent Rennes on their way to a threatening advantage.

    Laurent Koscielny 6: Former Lorient defender attempted to dig in against waves of home attacks. Angered by Sarr dive after interval. Helpless for goals.

    Nacho Monreal 3: Spain utility man hung out a leg and deflected in the valuable second for resurgent Rennes. Unforgivably, lost ball in build-up and declined to get back for Sarr’s bullet header for third.

    Granit Xhaka 5: Picked up his standard booking, this time for a foul on Ben Arfa. Attempted to plug gaps in midfield as Arsenal retreated with 10 men. Fortunate not to pick up second booking.

    Lucas Torreira 5: Uruguay anchor man started, in part because of his domestic suspension. First-time strike in 12th minute was well saved. Over-run as tie progressed.

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan 5: Played most the match in the odd position of right-back, thanks to Sokratis’ dismissal. Combined well in first 20 minutes with Ozil, then faded.

    Mesut Ozil 5: Back in the XI, but deemed a luxury before the 70-minute mark and hooked. Once Arsenal went down to 10 men, this was not a game for the ex-Germany playmaker’s refined skills. Took too much time over second-half shot, shooting centrally.

    Alex Iwobi 6: Cross-shot crept in at the back post to gift Arsenal perfect start. Few nice touches, elsewhere.

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 5: Toiled up top, receiving piecemeal service from Ozil and Mkhitaryan. Brought off late on, maybe with an eye on Sunday’s critical clash with Manchester United.

    SUBSTITUTES

    Matteo Guendouzi 4: Ex-Lorient starlet’s every touch was booed. His introduction at interval led to a reshuffle. Cowardly attempt to block cross led to Monreal own goal.

    Aaron Ramsey 5: Trusted to see out the strained final throes. Couldn’t, however, ensure Rennes’ drive was halted.

    Sead Kolasinac N/A: Thrown on to add ballast on left flank. Nowhere for third goal.

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