Arsenal will on Thursday tray and upturn the huge challenge of progressing to the next stage of the Europa League. With the way they played Manchester United in the English Premier League last weekend, Arsenal fans all over the globe are hopping they play well enough to reverse the 3-1 deficit. The mood seems to be right though because Alesandre Lacazette was in a cheerful mood in training on Wednesday morning as the Gunners get set to unleash the striker against Rennes this week. The French striker was cleared to play the second leg on Thursday after having a three-match ban turned to two after his red card against BATE Borisov last month.
Having already served his suspension he looks set to play with strike-partner Pierre Emerick Aubameyang as Arsenal attempt to overturn a 3-1 shortfall. And the two shared a warm embrace as Unai Emery delivered instructions to his side at a windswept London Colney. Lacazette was sent off in the second half of the last-32 Europa League defeat in Belarus. After having a second-half equaliser correctly ruled out for offside, the French forward was sent off for swinging an elbow in frustration towards Aleksandar Filipovic with five minutes remaining. Governing body UEFA confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Arsenal’s appeal had been partially upheld. Arsenal will be without Greek defender Sokratis, who was sent off in the first leg defeat. They are continuing to assess Henrikh Mkhitaryan as he battles a back strain.
