Arsenal 3-0 Rennes (4-3 agg): Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's double and Ainsley Maitland-Niles' strike sees hosts reach Europa League quarter-finals By Martin Samuel for the Daily Mail Published: 21:56 GMT, 14 March 2019 | Updated: 22:03 GMT, 14 March 2019 3 Viewcomments Advertisement It really did not require a super hero to send Arsenal through in Europe on Thursday night. Still, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is as near as they have got to one around these parts, so it was only right that he should get to score the goal, and wear the mask, that confirmed their superiority. Until Aubameyang scored his second of the night after 76 minutes, Arsenal were relying on UEFA's away goals rule to secure their progress into the last eight. Aubameyang gave them an outright aggregate win. He celebrated by plucking a Black Panther mask from behind a hoarding, pulling it on and performing the crossed armed Wakanda Forever salute. He had it ready for the match with Manchester United, too, but when he scored couldn't find it. Aren't super heroes meant to have x-ray vision for that sort of stuff? No matter. Wakanda is a fictional sub-Saharan African state invented by Marvel Comics, and the birthplace of their first black superhero. Since Black Panther became a hugely successful film, the Wakanda Forever sign has come to signify black excellence. Aubameyang certainly represents that. In his last 13 home games for Arsenal, he has been involved in 15 goals now: scoring 11, with four assists. He was the difference again last night, picking off Rennes just when they had started to look dangerous. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice for Arsenal as they reached the Europa League quarter-final stages The pacy striker channelled his inner superhero as Arsenal overturned a two-goal deficit from the first leg Aubameyang scored his second, and Arsenal's third, of the night with this close-range finish on 72 minutes MATCH FACTS Arsenal: Cech, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Kolasinac, Ramsey, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette. Subs: Leno, Mkhitaryan, Torreira, Iwobi, Suarez, Guendouzi, Nketiah. Rennes: Koubek, Traore, Da Silva, Mexer, Bensebaini, Bourigeaud, Andre, Grenier, Sarr, Ben Arfa, Niang. Subs: Badiashile, Zeffane, Doumbia, Lea Siliki, Del Castillo, Hunou, Gelin. Referee: Andris Treimanis (Latvia) It was a straightforward goal; a lovely cross by Sead Kolasinac, finished from close range by Aubameyang. He is a real poacher's striker, always in and around the six-yard box, putting pressure on the last line of defence. Rennes could not cope with him. The best team won, even if Arsenal made harder work of it than they should. It has been quite a week for English clubs in Europe: Manchester City's seven past Schalke, Chelsea's five in Kiev, Liverpool's three against Bayern Munich the pick of the bunch. And Arsenal had far too much for Rennes. Looking at their casual dominance here - they were going through from the 15th minute - it is hard to believe they lost the first leg 3-1. It means the Champions League safety blanket - back door qualification as Europa League winners - remains, even if Arsenal may not need it given their current position, in fourth. Still, it has revitalised this competition - as Unai Emery's reaction at the end showed. Aubameyang started Arsenal's comeback in brilliant fashion by scoring the opening goal of the game after five minutes The Gabon striker showed his predatory instinct inside the penalty area with this close-range finish It was great work by Aaron Ramsey (left) who managed to squeeze in a low cross for his team-mate - despite Rennes pressure Aubameyang begins to turn away in celebration as Arsenal take the lead and reduce the aggregate scoreline He was quickly mobbed by his team-mates after getting his side off to the perfect start at the Emirates Stadium Arsenal's night got even better just nine minutes later when Ainsley Maitland-Niles made it 2-0 on the night The rising star headed home after good work by Aubameyang - who floated a cross towards the far post Maitland-Niles' downward header proved too good for the Rennes defence who could only watch it bounce into the net The 21-year-old rejoiced with joy after netting his first European goal for the club on Thursday night It was an important goal in the tie as it meant that Arsenal were now in front against their French opposition The youngster's mood was in stark contrast to Rennes' who were now behind on aggregate due to the away goal rule Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility