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Nacho Monreal: Michael Owen absolutely slams Arsenal defender for third goal vs Rennes
NACHO MONREAL was the subject of a tirade of criticism from Michael Owen as Arsenal went 3-1 down at Rennes on Thursday night.
Arsenal crashed to a first-leg defeat in France in the Europa League last-16.
The Gunners had gone 1-0 up at Rennes but collapsed in the second half, with Sokratis Papastathopoulos’ red card not aiding their cause.
But it was the last goal scored by Rennes with just minutes left in the tie that really irked pundit Michael Owen.
Arsenal were enjoying possession in the far left corner of the field when Nacho Monreal and Aaron Ramsey were dispossessed.
Monreal can be seen turning away from play in frustration at the error.
But Ramsey, who started the match in midfield for Arsenal, immediately sprinted back to try and cover for his out-of-position team-mate.
Rennes charged up the field and eventually the ball came in for Ismaila Sarr - stood in the open space vacated by Monreal - to score.
And Owen was not impressed by what he saw.
“I don’t like that. You’re in the 88th minute and your left-back is there. You’re happy with 2–1,” he said on BT Sport.
“You’ve got 10 men away from home and a return leg to go. Why is the left back taking the throw-in?
“Look where the goal comes from. It’s exactly where Monreal should be.
“Now, I’m not taking anything away from Rennes. That was a brilliant, brilliant goal.
“But look at Monreal, top of the picture, and the big wide open space.
“Ramsey running past Guendouzi again, Guendouzi not springing back - by the way he came on as sub so he had plenty of energy.
“And then there’s a gaping hole where Monreal should have been.
“He should never have been taking a throw-in in the left wing position, with two minutes to go.”