Aubameyang double sees Arsenal past Rennes into Europa League quarterfinals

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:24 am

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice to help Arsenal reach the Europa League quarterfinals with a 3-0 win over Rennes that saw the Gunners advance 4-3 on aggregate.

Arsenal came into the match trailing 3-1 after the first leg, but wasted no time cutting into their aggregate deficit when Aubameyang poked home a seeing-eye cross from Aaron Ramsey at the near post.

Aubameyang turned provider for Arsenal's second, chasing down a Ramsey pass before it went out of touch and crossing for Ainsley Maitland-Niles to smash a header in to double the hosts' lead.

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Rennes, needing only an away goal to take the advantage, looked committed to making a fight of it in the second half and twice hit the post in the first 20 minutes after the break.

Arsenal responded soon after, though, with Alex Iwobi pulling a shot wide on 70 minutes before Aubameyang finished off a nice move minutes later from a perfect cross from the left by Sead Kolasinac. 

Aubameyang, who was cautioned for his celebration after the goal, missed two golden opportunities to extend the league in the closing minutes, chipping wide on one effort and scuffing a shot from close range after being left all alone in front of the net.

Unai Emery's men will await their quarterfinal opponent pending the Europa League draw, which will be held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon on Friday.