RENNES, France (AFP) - Arsenal manager Unai Emery is confident his team can bounce back from their Europa League setback in Rennes when they face a euphoric Manchester United side this weekend.
The Gunners played most of Thursday's (March 7) game with 10 men after Sokratis Papastathopoulos was sent off late in the first half as they threw away an early lead to lose 3-1 in France in their Europa League last 16, first leg.
Alex Iwobi had put them in front, but Rennes took advantage of their extra man to come back and claim a potentially vital two-goal cushion.
The result means they should have their work cut out if they are to progress to the quarter-finals, with the second leg against the Ligue 1 club scheduled for next Thursday.
"The first 40 minutes I think we controlled it, we scored, and we didn't concede many chances to them," said Emery, who accepted his team did not play well after the sending-off.
Benjamin Bourigeaud and Ismaila Sarr scored for Rennes either side of a Nacho Monreal own goal.
"We need to change our performance and I have confidence that we can with our players and with our supporters helping us to give us a big atmosphere."
Before that game, Arsenal entertain United on Sunday in a huge game between two sides battling for a top-four place in the Premier League.
"We are finding fresh players and a different energy for each match, and for Sunday I think it's going to be the same," said Emery, whose side are fifth in the Premier League table, one point behind United in fourth.
Â
"Every player worked a lot and we are going to look forward to the next match, but I know and I am positive for Sunday, that with fresh players with energy, with quality, that we have the possibility to put in a big performance against Manchester United and win against them."
United will head into the game fresh from their stunning 3-1 win away to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday that took them through to the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals.
That result was achieved with a depleted side, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team will also take confidence from the fact they won 3-1 at Arsenal in the FA Cup in January.
"They are in a very good moment but we are together in the table and we played against them one month ago in the FA Cup - we lost 3-1 but I remember we did very good things, we had chances," said Emery.
"We know Sunday is a tough match, an amazing match for everybody, we will be at home with our supporters, and we need a very big performance from each player."
Arsenal will be able to call on Alexandre Lacazette for that game - the French striker is suspended for the two legs against Rennes.
Juventus' old guard bidding to finish job against Ajax kids
Football: Former Lion Kadir Yahaya joins Tampines Rovers as adviser, to guide coach-in-waiting Gavin Lee
Latest KADIR YAHAYA | The Straits Times
Thierry Henry was suspended by Monaco on Thursday and looked set to lose his job as coach after only three months in charge at the Ligue 1 club.
Thierry Henry set to lose AS Monaco job after being suspended
Antonio Conte: Former Chelsea manager named Inter Milan boss
Manchester City swept back to the top of the Premier League as Gabriel Jesus struck twice in the champions' 3-1 win over Everton, while Christian Eriksen kept Tottenham in the title hunt in a last
Jesus shines as City regain top spot, Eriksen fires Spurs
The 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev last May was something of a freak result as Jurgen Klopp's side were the better team until Mohamed Salah Milner wants to put right. final, we can
"I want to be respectful": Rafa on his Reds' team & 2019 side
Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is set to be appointed as the new Inter Milan manager. Italian Conte, 49, has been out of the game since he was sacked by Chelsea last July, ending a
Ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte confirmed as new Inter Milan
United Spurs Juve And Inter Ready To Heat Up Icc Singapore. Singapore Spurs Tottenhamhotspur. Manchester United Supporters Club Singapore The Official.
Spurs, Man United, Juventus and Inter heading to Singapore
Van Gaal's claims seem at odds with the more entertaining football played by United since Solskjaer started a reign that looks set to bring him the manager's job on a permanent basis. "The way Manchester United are playing now is not the way Ferguson played," Van Gaal told the BBC on Tuesday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer boosted by Jose Mourinho's work, claims
Manchester City face anxious wait on Kevin De Bruyne's injury, but Pep Guardiola expects him to miss derby clash v United Football Worrying sign for Manchester City as Kevin De Bruyne is forced
Guardiola expects De Bruyne to miss derby after limping off
enpropiapuerta.com/2019/04/21/guardiola-expects-de-bruyne-to-miss-derby-after-limping-off/
Guardiola expects De Bruyne to miss derby after limping off Since his appointment, the former Almeria and Valencia player has led the Gunners to the top four on the Premier League table as well as semifinals of the Europa League.
Pep Guardiola provides De Bruyne update ahead of Manchester derby
Solari denies La Liga title race is over after Real Madrid suffer shock home loss to Girona. But even though Madrid's shock home loss to struggling Girona last weekend ended a five-game winning
Cristiano Ronaldo wrong to say Real Madrid are not humble
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas has suggested Hugo Lloris should be dropped for Paulo Gazzaniga against Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Lloris made a costly mistake in the 90th minute against Liverpool on Sunday, resulting in a Toby Alderweireld own goal and consigning Spurs to their fourth defeat in five Premier League outings.
Pundit says Spurs must consider dropping star after Liverpool
The Portuguese coach says Pogba was not solely responsible for his exit (Picture: Getty) Axed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes his complaints about the club have been vindicated
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho on Chelsea coach clash
Chelsea beat Slavia Prague to reach Europa League semi-finals
0 comments:
Post a Comment