Paris St Germain put themselves
in the box seat to enter the Champions League knockout rounds as Group A
winners after an entertaining 2-2 draw at Arsenal on Wednesday. Arsenal,
who like PSG had already qualified for the last 16, looked set to
finish top of their group for the first time since 2011 after Marco
Verratti's comical own goal on the hour. But they were denied when Lucas's goalbound header was deflected by Alex Iwobi past David Ospina. It
means PSG have 11 points from five games, the same as Arsenal, but have
a superior head-to-head courtesy of away goals after the sides drew 1-1
in Paris in September. The French champions host Ludogorets next when victory will guarantee they finish above the Gunners who travel to Basel.
A
point was no less than PSG deserved as they started and finished the
game stronger than an Arsenal side who struggled to exert any sustained
pressure. PSG zipped the ball around on the lush Emirates pitch during a confident opening and Edinson Cavani glanced a header wide. Cavani header was then cleared off the line by Kieran Gibbs. Arsenal
continued to stand off and admire PSG's passing, much to the annoyance
of the crowd, and they paid the price for their lethargy after 18
minutes. Thiago Motta's precision pass released Blaise Matuidi and his
inviting low cross was swept home by the sliding Cavani for his 16th
goal of the season. PSG were content to keep the ball in their own half but were architects of their own downfall seconds before halftime. Maxwell
sloppily conceded possession and Mesut Ozil's clever blind pass sent
Alexis Sanchez free. The Chilean forward's footwork proved too quick for
Grzegorz Krychowiak who brought him down with his trailing leg for a
clear penalty.
Giroud, restored to the starting lineup after his
late equaliser at Manchester United at the weekend, tucked the spot kick
past Alphonse Areola. Lucas skimmed the crossbar with a free kick early in the second half for PSG but Arsenal then enjoyed their best spell. Having been gifted their equaliser Arsenal were thankful to the visitors again as they took the lead on the hour. This
time Aaron Ramsey's shot was blocked and an attempted clearance by
Marquinhos cannoned back off his team mate Marco Verrato past the
helpless Areola. PSG equalised when Lucas's powerful header from a
corner looked like being a comfortable save for Ospina before Alex
Iwobi intervened and glanced the ball with his head past the keeper. Cavani,
who wasted several chances to bury Arsenal in the 1-1 draw in Paris in
September, should have done better when he was clean through on goal but
his attempted chip went straight into the hands of Ospina. And the Uruguayan had his head in his hands again when he sent a diving header wide from in front of goal.
Match Sheet:
Arsenal:
Ospina; Jenkinson (Oxlade-Chamberlain, m.81), Mustafi, Koscielny,
Gibbs; Coquelin (Walcott, m.80), Ramsey, Iwobi (Xhaka, m.78); Özil,
Alexis and Giroud.
PSG: Areola; Meunier,
Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Maxwell; Verratti, Motta, Krychowiak (Ben
Arfa, m.67); Matuidi, Lucas (Jesé, m.89) and Cavani.
Goals: 0-1, m.18: Cavani. 1-1, m.45+1: Giroud (p). 2-1, m.60: Verratti (pp). 2-2, m.77: Lucas.
Referee: Felix Brych (GER).
Booked: Coquelin (m.34) and Koscielny (m.53) (Arsenal); Marquinhos (m.31) and Verratti (m.55) (PSG).
Stadium: Emirates Stadium (London).
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