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: Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal celebrates after 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: Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal celebrates after 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) /

1. Europa League is on

Unai Emery is the king of the Europa League. It is a fact that has been paraded throughout the season, perhaps with a lack of genuine logic. But this season, he seems to be proving it true, his Arsenal side navigating the knockout stages nicely, even if they have made it harder work that it needed to have been.

Now in the quarter-finals, the Gunners have a terrific chance of challenging for both a European trophy and qualification for next season’s Champions League. As of writing, these are the other teams in the quarter-final draw: Chelsea, Napoli, Valencia, Frankfurt, Villareal. Benfica will almost certainly join them while one of Sevilla and Slavia Prague will make it through also.

This is a very winnable competition. Yes, ties against Chelsea and Napoli would be difficult. And yes, Arsenal could not hand a 3-1 headstart to Villareal or Valencia and expect to make it through in the second leg again. But Emery’s team might well be the best left in the draw.

Next. Arsenal Vs Rennes: Plater ratings. dark

Make no mistake about it, the Europa League is absolutely on. And it is nothing to be scoffed at.