Alexandre Lacazette was not expecting to feature in Arsenal’s crucial second leg of their round of 16 Europa League tie against Rennes but his relief at being available for selection was one shared by his team-mates.
The French striker had his three game ban for an elbow to BATE Borisov’s Aleksandar Filipovic in the first leg of the round of 32 match reduced on appeal by a single game, much to the fury of Rennes and their supporters.
They had expected their opponents to be without Lacazette for both games but Arsenal were partially successful with their appeal, allowing the 27-year-old to return to the side as the Gunners bid to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg in Rennes.
Lacazette was a willing foil to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, whose two goals, brilliant assist and Black Panther celebration stole the headlines, but he was merely happy to play his part.
“I was really happy [when I heard I could play],” he said. “I was in the club and a guy from the club came to tell me I could play, so I was really happy to play and help my team.”
Arsenal swiftly tore away Rennes’ first leg advantage, Aubameyang and Ainsley Maitland-Niles scoring in the first 15 minutes to swing the tie in their favour.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles celebrates Arsenal’s second goal against Rennes.
Though there would be some nervy moments later in the game Arsenal held on with relative ease before Aubameyang netted his second midway through the second half.
This was a far cry for the anxious, tepid display Arsenal had put in after being reduced to 10 men in Rennes.
Lacazette said: “We knew we had to be better than in the first leg. But in the first leg we were 10 against 11 so of course it is not easy.
“But we know for the next game we have to be better in both games. We were confident tonight.
“We knew after the first leg even if we lost if we play our game we could win and go to the next round.”
“We had possession and were good in our duels. We could have scored more goals.
“But it’s football, now the game against Rennes is behind us. We have to focus on the next game, after the international break.”
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