Arsenal news: Rennes boss slams UEFA’s ‘bizarre’ behaviour after they reduce Alexandre Lacazette ban

Arsenal news: Rennes boss slams UEFA’s ‘bizarre’ behaviour after they reduce Alexandre Lacazette ban
Rennes boss Julien Stephan has described UEFA’s behaviour as “bizarre” and hinted at a conspiracy from Europe’s governing body to help Arsenal through to the Europa League quarter-finals.Stephan is unhappy Gunners striker Alexandre Lacazette is available to face his side at the Emirates after his three-match ban was suddenly reduced on appeal on Tuesday.2

Rennes boss Julien Stephan is unable with UEFA for reducing Alexandre Lacazette’s suspension

The north London side were handed home advantage for the crucial second leg clash despite being drawn to play away.Rennes were due to play at the Emirates in the first leg but the tie was switched on UEFA orders because Chelsea and Arsenal are not allowed to play in the same city on the same night.French international Lacazette was hit with a three-match ban after being sent-off for elbowing BATE Borisov defender Aleksandar Filipovic in the last round.That would have ruled the 27-year-old out of both legs of their last-16 clash with the French minnows.But now he is free to play as Arsenal look to overturn a 3-1 deficit in front of their own supporters.2

The Arsenal striker is available to face the French outfit in a crunch Europa League tie

Speaking ahead of the game, Stephan said: The timing of the Lacazette decision was a surprise for us.“We didnt think that he would be included up until Monday evening when they decided to reduce his sanction to two games.We werent even aware that Arsenal had appealed Lacazettes ban because the red card was given about a month ago so its a bit strange that it has come just 48 hours before the game.But it is what it is and we dont have time to waste by debating things with UEFA.Its the second bizarre instance after the decision to invert the two legs.” He added: “Hopefully there wont be any more surprises and the referee on the night will be great.It changes a lot of things because with Lacazette available Arsenal can play in several different systems and now we have only 24 hours to prepare.Arsenal will obviously be much stronger than they were in the first leg and we know that they are used to winning big games at home.I dont know if we will thwart their plans but we want to score at least once here in London.

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