Julien Stephan was frustrated with the referee after Rennes 3-0 Europa League defeat to Arsenal, but admitted the Gunners deserved to go through.
Rennes brought a 3-1 lead to the Emirates for the second leg, but collapsed under the pressure of Arsenal’s attack – conceding two goals inside the opening 15 minutes.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice in the game, but was offside for Arsenal’s second goal when he clipped the ball into Ainsley Maitland-Niles’s path.
Alexandre Lacazette was in the side after seeing his red card suspension reduced to two games before the match and Rennes head coach suggested the Frenchman was lucky not to be sent off again.
‘I think it’s clearly offside. It’s an important decision on the game, but Arsenal played better and deserved to go through,’ he said.
‘On the offside there has been a big mistake.
‘As for the Lacazette decision, the commission decided it was only worth a two-game ban.
‘Today’s tackle for Lacazette also was on the borderline of a red card and there was another tackle in the second half that could have been another yellow.
‘A few things have gone against us. We don’t have the name or history of Arsenal, but we are growing. We have to congratulate Arsenal, they deserved to go through.’
Unai Emery was delighted with his side’s comeback, praising his team’s performance and resilience.
Rennes boss Stephan also hailed Arsenal’s display, explaining it was like playing against a Champions League side.
He said: ‘We got caught up in the intensity in the game. A lot of fields we didn’t come out on top.
‘The level that was being played on us was Champions League football.
‘The second goal was offside, but they were better than us so congratulations.
‘We can take a lot form this game against a top quality team.’
