Arsenal vs Rennes predicted starting XI: Turn this thing around

Arsenal have to overturn a 3-1 deficit to Rennes in order to move on in the Europa League. Here is now Unai Emery might line up to do it.

Arsenal need to bear down for another home fixture, this time they need a good hearty battering over a batterable side. It was shocking to see the side lose 3-1 in France, but then again, it’s easily explainable – Sokratis lost his composure.

If that hadn’t happened, we’d be having a much different conversation right now, but alas, here we are, talking about overturning gross deficits to stay alive in a competition we have eyes on winning.

Thankfully, as has been talked about, the route to advancing isn’t that intimidating. For instance, a cool 2-0 win, exactly what we accomplished against a much tougher Manchester United, would do the trick.

Or a 3-0 win, like the one achieved against BATE Borisov, would put all hesitation to bed. And if we really want to make things nervy, we can even match the scoreline, 3-1, and take it into extra time. But let’s think about the more conclusive ways to move on instead.

The point is, the scores we are being asked to turn up are not exactly rare scores. Each of our last four home matches would successfully overturn the 3-1 deficit, and seven of the last nine would do the same.

It would be foolish to count this match as lost, as many did after the first leg (idiots). Unai Emery is rather adept at getting his guys to bear down, get gritty, and do the job that needs doing, particularly in crucial situations. Again, just look at Manchester United.

As far as how he might line up, I wouldn’t expect him to carry the momentum against United with the same formation. Mostly because he can’t. Rather, I’d expect a formation similar to what we saw in the first leg, except with eleven guys this time.

I’m opting for a 4-2-3-1 starting XI for this one, emphasizing the attack in a big way. Let’s talk positions, starting at the back.

Keeper

No surprises here, Petr Cech will get the start and he needs to make zero mistakes with it. Good? Good.

On to the centerbacks.