Arsenal vs Rennes: 5 key players in another unnecessary nail-biter

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on March 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on March 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Shkodran Mustafi
(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

2. Shkodran Mustafi

Sokratis is suspended (in case you missed the memo) and Laurent Koscielny got banged up against Manchester United. Chances are, Koscielny will still have to take to the pitch. If he can’t things might get really interesting, but no matter how you mash it up, Shkdroan Mustafi has to play in the center of this defense in one way or another.

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He hasn’t been featuring at the heart of the defense lately. He’s been forced out wide to right back (to medium effectiveness) or he’s been on the bench. Clearly the instability that often accompanies him is wearing thin on Unai Emery.

There’s no hiding from it here. Thankfully, as I’ve pointed out in the past, when called upon, with a lot on the line, Mustafi has been known to step up and make the most of his opportunities. Whether that happens here, we will just have to wait and see, but it wouldn’t be the first time and hopefully, it won’t be the last.

Ideally, he won’t have to deal with much on his own, that’s kind of always the objective with his defending, but I have faith in him to hold up his end of the defensive bargain in this one.

Lastly, we move to No. 1.