Arsenal v Rennes: Preview and possible line-ups

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal

Lucas Torreira seems certain to start having missed the weekend win over Manchester United with a domestic ban, while Alexandre Lacazette could return to the side having seen his European ban reduced. Laurent Koscielny suffered a leg injury in the win over Manchester United, meaning Shkodran Mustafi will likely have a new defensive partner here. Danny Welbeck, Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding are all long-term absentees.

Rennes

Mehdi Zeffane will lose his place at right-back to the returning Hamari Traore, who comes back from suspension. Benjamin Andre and James Lea Siliki are possibilities to come back into the team after sitting out of recent games, while Hatem Ben Arfa should start in the Rennes attack.

MANAGERS' THOUGHTS

Unai Emery

"We need to focus tomorrow and create a very emotional moment in 90 minutes with our supporters.

"In the first game, they beat us and now we will want to show that here it can be different, but with a big respect to them and also knowing we need all the players with the focus and to control our emotions and control the different situations and scenarios that can come in the 90 minutes. This is our way and our match.

"[Rennes] are a good team in a good moment and they have quality with different players. They have spirit and fresh players playing offensively and they are organised defensively. They won against Betis over two matches with a big performance and against us they showed also they have the possibility to win against us."

Julien Stephan

When asked about Lacazette's reduced ban

"The timing is surprising. Much better for him. We are going to organise out team as appropriate. There was already a strange obstacle to get round with the reversal of the matches, so this is just another one. With Alexandre Lacazette, they can play with many different systems. His presence changes a lot."

When asked about their confidence after the first-leg

"That doesn't change things really. We go to London with the aim of scoring at least one goal. If we just defend, it will be very difficult for us. We will look to play with our qualities and our strengths to try and pose problems for Arsenal, who I'm convinced will be stronger than the first-leg."

"It is down to us to put out a good performance. On paper, Arsenal are the favourites given their history in Europe and the players they have in their squad. We will play to our strengths and will have no regrets after the encounter is over."

FORM GUIDE

DID YOU KNOW?

Last week was the first time that these two have met in competitive football. Arsenal suffered their first defeat away on French turf.

Arsenal don't have a brilliant record against French sides, playing 12 of their 25 matches against them at home, and losing five of those.

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Arsenal: Cech; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Guendouzi, Torreira; Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Iwobi; Aubameyang.

Rennes: Koubek; Traore, Silva, Mexer, Bensebaini; Sarr, Andre, Grenier, Bourigeaud; Ben Arfa, Huno.