Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Rennes: 5 things we learned – Done and dusted

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /

Arsenal hosted Rennes in the second leg of the Europa League last 16 on Thursday night. Here are five things we learned from the 3-0 win.

Arsenal were professional, dogged and ruthless in overturning a 3-1 deficit in Thursday night’s Europa League last-16 second leg against Rennes. Needing to win by two clear goals, the Gunners went 2-0 up inside the first 15 minutes and never looked back, eventually running out comfortable 3-0 victors. The win puts them into the quarter-finals of the competition, with a great chance of challenging for a European trophy and Champions League qualification on two different fronts.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Rubbish Rennes, Article of the Week

Here are five things we learned from the 3-0 victory.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates with teammates Aaron Ramsey and Ainsley Maitland-Niles after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates with teammates Aaron Ramsey and Ainsley Maitland-Niles after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /

5. Winning mentality and atmosphere

From well before the first whistle, there was a clear sense of expectation brooding among the Arsenal fan base. Needing to overturn a 3-1 deficit, the Emirates was quite aware that the team required a vibrant and encouraging atmosphere at the stadium. And that is precisely what they got.

It is also something that they have gotten all season. Against Manchester United at the weekend. In the home North London Derby. In the 1-1 draw with Liverpool. The Emirates was rocking. And in all of these, Arsenal played well. The same could be said here.

Although the capitulation of the first leg is concerning and should not go unaddressed, the winning mentality that the Gunners showed here, feeding off the atmosphere in the stadium, was impressive and is seemingly a growing characteristic of this Unai Emery team. Long may it continue.