Arsenal manager Unai Emery says he has “confidence” his side can overturn Rennes’ 3-1 lead at Emirates Stadium in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
Drawing inspiration from United Boss, who came down 2-0 against PSG but managed to overturn the result and qualify for quarter finals.
Alex Iwobi’s early cross-shot had put Arsenal in front but they lost control of the game after Sokratis Papastathopoulos’ dismissal for a second booking.
Benjamin Bourigeaud immediately drew the hosts level with a stunning strike into the top right corner, with Nacho Monreal’s own goal and Ismaila Sarr’s late header compounding a miserable evening for Arsenal.
“The red card changed the game more than we wanted,” Emery said.
“The first 40 minutes we controlled, we scored, we didn’t concede good chances. I think we can do better and I have confidence with our players and our supporters helping us.”
Arsenal go into the second leg having overturned a 1-0 deficit in the last-32 stage.
On that occasion, they progressed with a 3-0 home victory over Belarus side Bate Borisov.
Arsenal arrived at Roazhon Park having never lost an away game against French opposition.
For large parts of the first half, that record looked like remaining intact as they gathered an early lead courtesy of Iwobi and controlled possession.
But while Lucas Torreira’s effort was superbly saved by Rennes goalkeeper Tomas Koubek and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also tested the Czech keeper they proved architects of their own downfall in an 86-second spell.
Having already been booked for a foul on Hatem Ben Arfa, Greece defender Papastathopoulos pulled Sarr’s shirt to earn his second yellow card, shifting the momentum of the game in the hosts’ favour.
“A red card can come but after we must learn also to play with one less player,” Emery added.
“We couldn’t do our work in difficult moments, in difficult minutes.”
Arsenal resume their Premier League duties when Manchester United visit Emirates Stadium on Sunday (16:30 GMT). They then host Rennes in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday 14 March (20:00 GMT).
Rennes face Caen in Ligue 1 on Sunday (16:00 GMT) before travelling to London.