Ten-man Arsenal stunned by Rennes in UEL

Arsenal are in real danger of being eliminated from the last 16 of the Europa League after a Nacho Monreal own goal and late Ismaila Sarr header in the second half secured Rennes a deserved 3-1 win at Roazhon Park.

The Gunners looked to be heading back to London with a serviceable 2-1 defeat after having Sokratis Papastathopoulos sent off in the first half, but Sarr’s dramatic late goal put daylight between the sides to leave Arsenal seemingly on the brink.

It all started so well for Unai Emery’s men when Alex Iwobi’s somewhat fortuitous early effort gave them an away goal that may yet prove decisive.

The good feeling did not last as Sokratis was given his marching orders for two yellow-card offences, and Benjamin Bourigeaud netted a stunning equaliser as a result of the second offence.

88e. GOOOOAAAALLL ! À la réception d’un excellent centre de James Lea-Siliki, Ismaïla Sarr place une tête imparable ! Quel contre mené par les Rennais (3-1) #SRFCArsenal pic.twitter.com/xyGuBwrPeQ

— Stade Rennais F.C. (@staderennais) March 7, 2019

The home side looked desperate to make the most of their numerical advantage and the pressure paid off, as Monreal deflected a cross into the goal and Sarr rounded off a brilliant performance with an emphatic diving header.