Unai Emery insists he has faith in Henrikh Mkhitaryan playing at right-back after favouring the Armenian ahead of Ainsley Maitland-Niles against Rennes.

Sokratis’ first-half red card prompted a reshuffle in the Arsenal backline in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 clash on Thursday.

Mkhitaryan slotted into an unfamiliar role at right-back for the remainder of the contest, with Maitland-Niles, who has filled in at both full-back roles this season, left on the bench.

The Gunners academy product remained among the subs as Arsenal fell to a 3-1 defeat in Brittany but Emery defended his decision not to turn to the 21-year-old.

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When asked why he did not call upon Maitland-Niles the Arsenal boss said: “We only had three changes and we needed to decide what were these changes. Micki, I think, is playing well. If he was not playing well then maybe we could think to do this change.”

Emery was satisfied with Mkhitaryan’s performance in an unfamiliar position, adding:

"We really didn't create a lot of chances to score the second goal, but I think Micki worked very well and with a good performance. I think there is no problem with Micki, and for example, his 40 or 50 minutes playing like a right-back, he played well.”