Rennes v. Arsenal match preview

by imothyt

Go check out my match preview on The Arsenal Review. Looks to me like wide spaces are going to be key!

Qq

26 comments

  1. The prodigal son, Mesut, continues his long return from purgatory.

    Cech for Leno
    Ozil for Ramsey
    Auba for an ineligible Laca

    Advice to Aubameyang, in case he reads Tim Todd… go watch a video of Marcus Rashford taking a high pressure penalty.

    Some surprising results from European competition this round, but from Tim’s review, we should see off Rennes. We’ve got our stronger LB, Monreal, to counter Sarr.

    Ironic that Tuchel tried to bring in Ozil as cover for Neymar in January. I wonder how he’s have fared against United yesterday.

  2. HT: Well, we played well for about five minutes, I’d say? What a garbage half from Arsenal. Mkhitaryan has been anonymous. Auba’s having one of those days. Mustafi is on the pitch. Sokratis isn’t (he’ll be rested for United!). Cech is the more worked of the keepers. It’s one of THOSE Arsenal games!

    1. Auba’s got an Ozil countenance problem. His languid style looks terrible when he isn’t playing well. And his from the front press is half-hearted. If you’re playing with 10 men, the one guy you want at CF is Lacazette.

      I fear that it’s Ozil who will be sacrificed.

      The whole wall, him included, was simply too lax and passive in responding to the rebound after the free kick. But what a hit it was.

    2. Hmm I thought we were playing okay in that first half. Their midfield was completely neutralized and other than those runs from Ben Arfa they created nothing. We had a few nice passages of play but having problems getting off a shot. Iwobi should cross more often.. lol!

      Is it me but was that a really soft red? Kos was right there covering so it wasn’t a case of last man defending, and while the contact could be interpreted as a foul, there was’t a lot of it and it should not have been a yellow. Then again, Socrates was asking for it the whole game so the decision wasn’t surprising.

      1. Felt we were playing winnable football too until the RC.
        Papa should have read the game better to avoid his first YC.
        Second was surely going to be given by this ref.

  5. All hands on deck, and of your 10 men on the field, you have mistake merchants Mustafi and Xhaka, and renowned battler Ozil. How strong’s your heart? Aaaand as I type this, Mustafi passes straight to a Renne player at the edge of our box, after a Xhaka giveaway gifts Rennes a goal.

  6. I know its difficult with 10 men but boy did we just collapse like house of cards.

    1. One of the major problems is that Auba couln’t keep the ball. This is not the game for first time flicks n tricks. I never have imagined before the game that our only striker would get hooked. But as the game went on, it became predictable that he would be.

  8. 3-1. Embarrassing, even with 10 men. We looked atrocious technically today. Auba killed pretty much any move we made up front, we had no answer to their pace on the wings, lost possession far too easily, and were sloppy defensively. I thought Emery picked a strong side and had the players to get the job done, but they were most definitely not at the races tonight. Did they think could win just by showing up?

    Folks, I have a bad feeling this is us out of the Europa League.

    1. I share that feeling. Actually I think we will lose to United as well and our season will come to an inglorious end by next Thursday. That would be the most Arsenal thing to do.

  9. It’s Rennen goals and why do I even bother with this s&$t? Luckily, I always have the Toronto Maple Leafs. Oh, wait…double s&$t!!

  10. We will beat United. Just as soon as we organise the voodoo bathing ceremony for Aubameyang, to banish whatever it is that is possessing him at the moment…

    How achy are Arsenal limbs, is the only question for me. Faith. And Bunburyist, I see you coming, pal. Don’t throw logic and recent history at me 🙂

  11. We could’ve gone 2-0 up if the linesman hadn’t have incorrectly given Auba offside when he was one-on-one with the keeper. Not saying he would’ve scored, but if he had…two away goals?
    Sokratis second yellow was so stupid. He grabbed Ben Arfa when he got passed him. What did he expect? Thought Xhaka was living dangerously too.
    It’s not impossible for the second leg. I think Lacazette will be eligible to play this time and at least we now know how good they are.

        1. Both Renne games certainly, and the next European game that Arsenal play. If we go out to Rennes, he’ll be banned also for the first game next season

          1. No. He was banned for the Bate return leg at the Emirates + both Rennes games. Red card was during that terrible loss to Bate.

  13. Arsenal only have to win the second leg 2 -0 at the Emirates. They should not have trouble beating a French mid table team by 2 goals at home. Providing they don’t get someone sent off. Which is becoming a trend for that team at the moment. I do however feel we will lose to Man. U this weekend. They always lose to Man.u

  14. Sounds like the the boys didn’t show up to play today. Just like my Celtics, looking past “easy” games.

  15. Tim your predictions have come true for the match. Particularly, the 3rd goal was just like you described.

    It’s amazing that the main difference expected off Emery from Wenger was defensive stability, only that there doesn’t seem to be any! He even tried to shut-up shop by bringing on Kolasinac for Auba, much like Wenger used to bring on Gibbs for an attacker.

    It couldn’t be more contrasting between ManU and us – some guys get all the luck and it’s been them as usual. I’m sure we will put up a valiant effort on Sun but the rest, refereeing, luck I’m not sure.

  16. Ozil actually looked decent for the first half. As did Iwobi, though the first goal was a bit of a fluke. Cech was pretty good, and saved the scoreline from looking even worse. Kos was OK, though he’s not doing enough captaining.
    Beyond that, mostly pretty poor. Unless Auba gets out of his funk, we’re done. Can’t see anyone else scoring the multiple goals necessary against a Rennes team that will park a large bus.

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