Arsenal manager Unai Emery believes that the red card handed to his team was the turning point in their first leg last 16 Europa League tie with Rennes at Roazhon Park on Thursday night.
The Gunners player over half of the Rennes game with 10 men after defender Sokratis Papasthathopoulos was sent off in the 41St minute for two yellow cards.
His second yellow card was as a result of a foul on Rennes attacker Ismaila Sarr.
Unai Emery was left to rue the red card during his post-match press conference after the game.
The Spaniard is however hopeful that his players will be able to overturn the first leg deficit against the French team currently 10th on the league table.
Rennes came from a goal down to beat Arsenal 3-1 at home with the help of the red card to Greek international Sokratis Papasthathopoulos.
Arsenal had taken an early lead through Alex Iwobi before Benjamin Bourigeaud equalised from the freekick awarded to the home side as a result of the aforementioned foul from Sokratis.
Rennes capitalised on the numerical advantage by scoring two second-half goals from Spanish international Nacho Monreal (own goal) and a very good header from young winger Ismaila Sarr.
Both sides meet again for the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.
