Rennes v Arsenal: Preview and possible line-ups

TEAM NEWS

Rennes

Hamari Traore will have to sit out the first leg after picking up a yellow card in Rennes' shock victory over Real Betis in the last 32, but Benjamin Andre will be considered for selection after being suspended for the trip to Seville. Rennes will be grateful for Andre´s return given that Siebatcheu, Fanze, Diallo and Baal are all out injured for the hosts.

Arsenal 

Lacazette is still suspended after seeing red against Bate in the previous round. Cech is favourite to start in goal for the Gunners while Torreira will start given that he is unable to play on the weekend against Man United. Emery is expected to rotate a few more of his men after the Tottenham match last weekend. Koscielny could be rested and that would mean Maitland-Niles starts at right back and Ozil may start so that Ramsey can rest. 

MANAGERS' THOUGHTS

Julien Stephan

Stephan described the match as "special" for Rennes and called it a "historical moment" for the club. He was also asked about Ben Arfa's difficult relationship with Emery when they were both at PSG, but he was keen to put it to one side. "It is a thing of the past. He'll be able to handle it in a very smart way and it is Rennes against Arsenal tomorrow, not Hatem versus Emery."

Unai Emery

The Spaniard has refused to blame fatigue if his team lose on Thursday. "It´s not an excuse for us. We have the habit to play a lot of matches week by week and for us it´s a very important match." Furthermore, he stated he had full confidence in Pierre Emerick Aubameyang should he have to take a penalty tomorrow despite missing versus Tottenham. "I was positive before and I´m positive today. If he's goign to shoot a penalty again, I have very big confidence he can score."

FORM GUIDE

DID YOU KNOW?

This is the first time these two teams will be facing other in a competitive match. The first leg was meant to be played in London, but was reversed in order to avoid a clash with Chelsea who play Dynamo Kiev on the same night. Rennes have never played an English club in Europe before, but they have faced British opposition. In 2011, they met Celtic home and away. The French outfit managed to draw 1-1 at home, but were beaten by three goals to one at Celtic Park. 

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Rennes

Koubek (GK); Zeffane, Silva, Mexer, Bensebaini; Sarr, Andre, Grenier, Niang; Ben Arfa; Hunou

Arsenal

Cech (GK); Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Papastathopoulos, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Torreira; Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Iwobi; Aubameyang