After Arsenal suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Rennes in the first leg of the Europa League last 16 tie, L’Equipe did not hold back in criticising the players of the English club.
Despite taking an early lead in France last week, the Gunners suffered a defeat and conceded three goals following Sokratis Papastathopoulos’ sending off just before the break.
Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira were slammed for being ‘significantly worse’, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was labelled a ‘failure’ against the Ligue 1 outfit.
Things were different in the return leg at the Emirates Stadium. The Gabon international stepped up as his two goals helped his side to beat Rennes 3-0 and in return progress further in the competition.
Once again L’Equipe have given player ratings and it’s no surprise most of the Arsenal players were praised. Alexandre Lacazette, however, wasn’t showered with praise for his overall game.
The 27-year-old was criticised for ‘clumsiness’ on several occasions, being caught in the offside trap and picking up a yellow card for an uncontrolled tackle on Rennes’ Benjamin André.
It’s no surprise the player with the highest rating is Aubameyang, and he received a rating of 8. His celebration after netting his second goal has seen L’Equipe call him Arsenal’s ‘superhero’.
Aaron Ramsey was ‘class’ and rated 7 and the French newspaper believes the player who impressed most was the Wales international. He was involved in his side’s first two goals, and demonstrated ‘intense activity’ against Rennes.
Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny was the ‘real boss’ in defence and he received a rating of 7.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored his first goal in the European competition and was rated six and left wing-back Sead Kolasinac was also rated the same for his assist for Arsenal’s third goal.
L’Equipe gave a rating of 5 to remaining players and this includes goalkeeper Petr Cech, defenders Nacho Monreal and Shkodran Mustafi, midfielder Xhaka and Mesut Ozil. 
Meanwhile, Bordeaux players didn’t come out of it so well. Three player were given just a 3, and Ismaïla Sarr, linked with a move to Arsenal this week, was given just 2/10.
L’Equipe also believe the referee was poor, awarding him 3/10.
