Arsenal are looking to keep up their proud record of never having lost a game in France after 12 attempts.
Rennes will be desperate to become the first French team to inflict a defeat on the Gunners, in their Europa League Round of 16 first leg on Thursday, with kick-off scheduled for 5.55pm at the 30,000 capacity Roazhon Park in Brittany.
The Gunners were originally drawn at home for the first leg, but Uefa switched the venues due to a clash with Chelsea.
Tough Europa League tie expected as Arsenal face Rennes
Rennes are enjoying their best ever European campaign after finishing fifth in Ligue 1 last season.
Former Newcastle playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa and long-time Arsenal target Ismaila Sarr are arguably the players to watch from the home side
The importance of the game tonight meant France’s League de Football Professionnel (LFP) decided to move Rennes’ fixture with Nimes Olympique to give them more time to prepare for the clash with Arsenal.
The LFP said in a statement: “In order to allow Stade Rennais to prepare in the best possible conditions for its double confrontation against Arsenal in the knockout stages of the Europa League, the bureau of the LFP has accepted the request of the club to postpone the match.”
This meant Rennes have enjoyed a eight-day break since their Coupe de France fixture against Orleans and the home tie against Unai Emery’s side.
Quick turn-around for Arsenal after Totternham derby draw
Arsenal were in action just five days ago after a north London derby battle with Tottenham, which finished 1-1. They are also facing a congested schedule after the first leg, with a crucial clash against Manchester United taking place less than 72 hours after their trip across the Channel.
Alexandre Lacazette will miss both legs of the tie after UEFA handed the Frenchman a three-match ban for elbowing Aleksandar Filipovic in the last round.
Rennes recovered from three successive defeats to take second place in Group K behind Dynamo Kyiv thanks to victories at Jablonec and Astana. They then caused a big upset by defeating Group G winners Real Betis in the round of 32, winning 3-1 in Seville after a 3-3 home draw.
Rennes currently tenth in Ligue 1
The ‘red and blacks’ changed their manager recently, sacking Sabri Lamouchi at the start of the December. After a successful period as caretaker manager, reserve team boss Julien Stéphan was appointed as coach until the end of the season, with ‘Les Rouges et Noirs’ currently sitting in tenth position. Stéphan is the son of Guy Stéphan, assistant coach to World Cup winning French boss Didier Deschamps.
Rennes’ sole previous experience of English opposition is a 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup semi-final against Aston Villa that they lost on away goals. However, there are several links with the Gunners. Veteran Arsenal goalkeeper Petr ?ech played for Rennes from 2002–2004 before joining Chelsea while Arsenal legend Sylvain Wiltord also began his career at Rennes.
