Alex Iwobi scored his first Europa League goal for ten-man Arsenal who suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Rennes in Thursday’s first leg Round of 16 clash at the Roazhon Park, reports Completesports.com.
The Nigeria international fired Arsenal into an early lead after four minute curling in a brilliant strike from the edge of the box after he received a pass Nacho Monreal.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos was sent off for a second bookable offence for pulling down Ismaila Sarr who was goal bound.
Benjamin Bourigeaud restored parity for Rennes firing in a thunderous rebound strike after his free-kick hit the wall.
Eight minutes into the second half, Iwobi was subbed off for Matteo Guendouzi on his 10th appearance in the Europa League.
In the 65th minute, Monreal diverted in Mehdi Zeffane cross to hand Rennes a 2-1 lead.
Sarr’s made it 3-1 for Rennes finishing off a brilliant counter with a thumping header eight minutes from time.
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At the Gazprom Arena in Russia, Samuel Chukwueze made his fourth Europa League start for Villarreal who beat Zenith St Petersburg 3-1.
A brilliant header from Vicente Iborra gave Villarreal the lead after 33 minutes, but Sardar Azmoun drew the home team Zenit level three minutes later.
In the second half, goals from Manu Morlanes and Gerard Moreno secured a comfortable win away.
The game was Chukwueze’s seventh in the competition this season.
In another Europa League match also played on Thursday, Inter Milan played out a goalless draw away to Eintracht Frankfurt at the Commerzbank Arena in Germany.
Sevilla were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Slavia Prague while Dinamo Zagreb beat Benfica 1-0.
By Johnny Edward
