Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with what will probably be their most difficult game in the group stage away at PSG. Wenger’s team selection came under much scrutiny with Cech and Giroud both being left out. Despite being outplayed the Gunners were able to scrap out a 1-1 draw.
The game started horribly for Wenger’s men. Within the first 44 seconds, Aurier who terrorized Monreal during the first 45 minutes, whipped in a ball for Cavani to head home. The first 15 minutes were dominated by PSG. In the 8th minute, Verratti picked up a booking for a late tackle on Coquelin. In the 10th minute a Di Maria flick put Rabiot in but Koscielny was across to block his shot. Two minutes later Di Maria almost curls in a corner, with Ospina doing well to tip it over the bar.
Finally, after about 20 minutes, Arsenal settled into the match. In the 22nd, Monreal did well down the left side and chipped a ball to the far post, Oxlade Chamberlin headed back across goal but PSG dealt with it. Coquelin was booked just two minutes later for a studs up tackle. In the 34th minute, the PSG pressure continued. Cavani rounded Ospina but missed an empty net with his left foot, Arsenal were lucky to get away with on there. In the 42nd, Cavani was once again put in but his poor touch in the box allowed Ospina to collect.
Overall, PSG dominated the first half.
The second half started at a much slower pace. In the 52nd minute following a lot of Arsenal possession, PSG broke through Di Maria, as he was through on goal but Monreal did enough to put him off. In the 60th, Aurier continued his excellent game with a great ball in, but Bellerin was there first to clear the danger. In the 63rd, Arsenal got their first real chance; Sanchez puts Chamberlain through who whiffed his shot. This was the Englishman’s last action as he was replaced by Giroud right after.
In the 67th, Aurier and Di Maria combined with Aurier going through on goal, but Ospina came off his line well to save. Two minutes later, Cavani benefits from some lucky bounces and ends up 1 on 1 with Ospina, but the Columbian did well to save once again. Just 2 minutes after this poor distribution from Ospina, Di Maria found himself in a dangerous position but his left footed strike was well saved by the Columbian. In the 71st, Xhaka came on for Coquelin. In the 74th, Motta replaced Rabiot.
In the 78th, Ozil picked out Iwobi at the penalty spot and his shot was well saved, the rebound fell to Alexis who blazed it home from the edge of the box. 1-1. A 79th minute substitution saw Pastore on for Krychowiak. Just a minute later, Cavani out paces Koscielny and races through on goal, another fantastic display from Ospina to keep it out. In the 83rd minute, a quick counterattack saw Iwobi in a great position but his shot was tame and saved easily; he really should have scored there.
In the 84th, Meunier replaces the injured Aurier and just a minute later Elneny replaces Ozil. In the 88th, Giroud received a booking for dissent and in the 92nd Motta received a yellow for a high hand on Giroud. The 93rd minute saw Verratti and Giroud get into it, resulting in both men receiving their second yellows and their marching orders. The last action of the game saw a dangerous corner fly just past Marquinious head at the back post. Then the final whistle went.
Overall, after being greatly outperformed on the night, Arsene Wenger’s men did well to gain a point from what should be their toughest group match of the Champions League. Arsenal are away to Hull City in the Premier League on Saturday.
