Arsenal progressed to the Europa League quarter-final with a 3-0 win over Stade Rennais FC on Thursday, overturning a 3-1 defeat in the first leg of the tie.

1Match Recap

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal looks on prior to 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: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal looks on prior to 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)

Thanks to their one away goal in Rennes, Arsenal knew that a 2-0 victory would be enough to progress to the quarter-finals on Thursday night. With supporters prepared for a long 90 minutes trying to break their opposition down, it was rather surprising to see the Gunners find those two goals within 15 minutes.

First, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored from close range, set up by Aaron Ramsey. Then, the striker turned provider, crossing for Ainsley Maitland-Niles to head home his first goal at the Emirates Stadium.

After that, Rennes started to come back into the game, no longer having the motivation to stick 11 men behind the ball. However, in the second half, Aubameyang was the player to score the third of the game at the end of a nice team move.

As a result, Arsenal progressed 4-3 on aggregate. Let’s have a look at our individual player ratings for the match.

Petr Cech 7.5

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Petr Cech of Arsenal celebrates at full-time of 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: Petr Cech of Arsenal celebrates at full-time of 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)

Cech didn’t have half as much to do as in the first leg, as the Rennes players could hardly even keep themselves onside, let alone get a shot at goal. Nonetheless, he was called upon to make two saves, which he did. The goalkeeper got his fairytale clean sheet against his old club and ensured Arsenal’s three goals were enough to win.

Click ‘Next’ for the rest of our detailed player ratings

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