LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal completed a clean sweep of six English sides through to European quarter-finals by overturning a 3-1 first-leg deficit to beat Rennes 3-0 and progress to the Europa League last eight at the Emirates on Thursday (March 14).
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice and also teed up Ainsley Maitland-Niles as Arsenal joined Chelsea in Friday's Europa League quarter-final draw after Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham led the way in the Champions League.
Rennes had never before reached the last 16 of a major European competition and the scale of the tie for the French side was evidenced by the huge travelling support they enjoyed.
However, rather than be inspired, Julien Stephan's side seemed intimidated by their surroundings early on to concede twice inside 15 minutes.
Arsenal quickly had the early goal they sought to get back in the tie as Aaron Ramsey's low cross was swept home by Aubameyang.
The French-born Gabon international was also involved for Arsenal's second 10 minutes later, although Rennes were right to feel aggrieved that the goal was allowed to stand.
Aubameyang appeared to be clearly offside from Ramsey's pass with Arsenal's Mesut Ozil even turning his back to the play expecting a flag.
However, it was not forthcoming and with VAR not in operation in the Europa League unlike the more lucrative Champions League, Maitland-Niles's downward header from Aubameyang's cross was allowed to stand.
Arsenal, though, then sat on their lead rather than building on it and could easily have paid for that approach after the break.
Petr Cech, in what could have been the Czech great's last game before retiring at the end of the season had Arsenal not progressed, turned M'Baye Niang's shot from outside the area onto the post.
Ismaila Sarr's third goal for the hosts in the dying embers of the first leg looked to have swung the tie Rennes' way and the Senegalese had the chance for a vital away goal, only for Sead Kolasinac to produce a saving last-ditch tackle.
Rennes were again unhappy with the Latvian officiating team when Lacazette escaped a second yellow card before the French international was replaced by Alex Iwobi.
With practically his first touch, Iwobi dragged a good chance to give Arsenal breathing space wide.
But 18 minutes from time they did have a cushion when having saved his side at one end, Kolasinac's wonderful low cross left Aubameyang with a simple task to tap home his 22nd goal of the season and celebrated by pulling on a mask.
Aubameyang needed it back to hide his embarrassment soon after as he missed two glorious chances in the space of 60 seconds to seal his hat-trick.
But Arsenal held out to continue the Premier League's resurgence and leave France without a single representative in the quarter-finals of either European competition.
Solskjaer 'confident' of Manchester United miracle in Paris Solskjaer's side will be aiming to overturn a 2-0 deficit at PSG in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday. Share Via Email
Premier League » News » Solskjaer 'confident' of Man Utd
Barcelona - Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele returned to team training on Thursday, increasing hopes that he will recover from his hamstring injury in time for next week's Champions League trip to Manchester United. "Jasper Cillessen (also out injured) and Ousmane Dembele were back training with the group," the La Liga leaders said on their
Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona returns from injury ahead of Man
The victory lifts the Socceroos to second in the Group B table, two points clear of their final opponents Syria, against whom a draw will be enough to seal qualification to the last 16, while Palestine are bottom on one point but are far from out of the knockout picture.
Match preview: Socceroos v Palestine | Socceroos
If his status as one of the Amsterdam club's most exciting prospects in years did not place enough pressure on his shoulders, there is the added burden of being the son of Ajax and Barcelona
Why Dutch Clubs Sell Their Best Players - Football Oranje
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool were left to regret two huge missed chances by Mohamed Salah as Everton held out for a 0-0 draw in the Merseyside derby on Sunday. Jurgen Klopp's men now trail champions Manchester City by a point at the top of the Premier League with nine games remaining.
Spanish La Liga's organising body says it does not expect its President, Javier Tebas, to jump ship to the English Premier League (EPL). The declaration was in response to British media reports that the Spaniard has emerged as a candidate to become the English top-flight's chief executive. "We are not aware of this supposed interest.
La Liga flattered by reported Premier League interest in
Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first time to monitor fan activity. With Spain's Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English CL final - Sports News | SPORTSAXE
Football: Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English
worldsportstale.com/soccer/football-madrid-plans-robust-security-for-all-english-champions-league-final/
05/30/2019 Comments Off on Football: Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English Champions League final MADRID (AFP) - Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's (June 1) all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first time to monitor fan activity.
Football: Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English
Wolves beat Bournemouth in their best top-flight run for 38 years. Reuters. Wolves' previous top-flight campaign in 2011-12 ended with just 25 points and relegation. Football's most
Wolves beat Bournemouth in their best top-flight run for 38 years
Tottenham Hotspur date for Singapore. Tottenham players like Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Danny Rose and Son Heung-min are expected to be in Singapore as part of their pre-season tour in July
ICC 2019 - tickets on sale for Shanghai and Singapore dates
Victory over Man City would be biggest FA Cup shock ever, says Newport boss Flynn The League Two club have beaten Leeds, Leicester and Middlesbrough in the competition in the last two seasons.
Victory over Man City would be biggest FA Cup shock ever
Arsenal, Chelsea, Valencia, Frankfurt in Europa League semis Chelsea's Olivier Giroud celebrates with Chelsea's Pedro after he scored his side's third goal during the Europa League quarterfinal
Europa League semi-finals 2019: Arsenal FC vs Valencia CF
CARDIFF, Wales (REUTERS) - Bottom club Huddersfield Town ended their eight-match losing streak in the Premier League with a goalless draw at fellow strugglers Cardiff City on Saturday (Jan 12) but
Huddersfield end losing run with draw at Cardiff - Footballghana
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he was not disappointed by his players' effort despite suffering a surprise 3-2 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday. Ilkay Gundogan opened the
Guardiola stays cool despite shock Man City defeat
