Europa League Round of 16
Arsenal came back from 2 goals down [3-1 first leg] to beat French side Rennes 3-0 in the Europa League. Aubameyeng played a major role in the qualification by scoring a brace in the game. The Gunners attacked the game ferociously with 2 goals in the first 15 minutes before letting Rennes some chance to get back in this game.
Second clean-sheet
For the second time of the week, Arsenal enjoyed back-to-back clean sheets. First against Man United 2-0 and last night against Rennes, 3-0.
Arsenal coach, Emery, spoke to the media after the game:
“We can be proud of our supporters and our players today because it’s been a very difficult week against Manchester United on Sunday and then today against Rennes after our defeat away. I think today we played very, very consistently in the 90 minutes, being also competitive without the ball above all and very serious defensively. I missed a little more control with the ball, some possession. But they left, usually a lot of players in the attacking third and gave us a lot of possibilities to attack the space against them and run more in the transition. It’s not all like we wanted with the control, but I think our match was competitive and it was very well today.
“The last eight teams are very important teams and it is going to be very difficult”, added the coach as Arsenal drew, one of the favorites to win it all, Napoli in the quarterfinal stage
“But we are going to think the same ideas before this match, before Sunday’s match against Manchester United. The next match is the most important match for us and the next competition is the same. After 15 days, we are going to play against Newcastle here in the Premier League and then other matches in the Europa League. We are going to prepare for each match as if it’s the most important.”
On the competition:
“Champions League is very important but the Europa League grew up a lot and now is giving every team the possibility to play in the Champions League. In the domestic league, like here, we have six teams playing to be in the top four. Two teams are going out and the Europa League is giving us a big opportunity also to take one way to go to the Champions League. And also, it’s one title. I said to the players today, I am excited about this competition. It’s not just because you can get to the Champions League through this competition.
It’s also because it’s one title and I think we can feel the possibility to win one title, doing this way with a difficult moment like today and playing also against big teams. But I think we can feel this competition like in the Premier League, to do a good way and create, with our supporters, a big atmosphere and a big feeling together to do this way in the Premier League and also here in the Europa League. Together and stronger.”
