Arsenal held by PSG in race for top spot in Champions League Group A

Arsenal’s chances of winning Champions League Group A have suffered a setback following a 2-2 draw with PSG at The Emirates.

Both teams had already booked their passage to the last-16 heading into the tie, but both were also looking to claim three points in the race for top spot and a better seeding in the knock-out stages.

It was not one of Arsene Wenger’s side’s better nights as they struggled to find their rhythm throughout and they found themselves behind before 20 minutes were gone through Edinson Cavani. A penalty from Olivier Giroud levelled matters just before the break; however, as Arsenal dug deep.

The turnaround was complete on the hour when Marco Verratti turned into his own net for PSG, before another own goal, this time from Alex Iwobi, brought the teams level, and that way it stayed.

The draw gives PSG the advantage heading into the final round of group games, knowing that a win over Ludogorets will see them top the group given their better head-to-head away goals record with Arsenal following a 1-1 draw in Paris in the reverse tie earlier in the group.

It was the visiting Parisians who were the dominant side early on as they passed their way with beauty into the Arsenal danger areas and had an effort cleared off the line on the 15-minute mark. A Lucas corner found Cavani unmarked and with a glance the ball deflected off Thiago Silva and towards the net, with Kieran Gibbs intervening to clear off the line.

Three minutes later PSG were ahead. Motta fed Blaise Matuidi on the left, who crossed to the middle for Cavani to finish home to the far corner as the Gunners' high defensive-line was found out.

Wenger’s team were stuttering and failing to get their usual slick machine working as normal. Carl Jenkinson had a chance to escape down the wing only for a poor touch to allow Maxwell to get in and snuff out the danger.

Arsenal were struggling with 39% possession as the game ticked towards the half-hour mark as PSG continued to dominate. The Gunners best opening being a penalty shout as Silva collided with Aaron Ramsay only for German referee Felix Brych to wave it on; the correct call.

It had been PSG’s half as they cut out any meaningful attack Arsenal could muster as Alex Iwobi, Giroud and Ramsey were all nullified and Jenkinson failed to produce anything with plenty of ball on the right flank.

But on the nick of half-time the Gunners got back in the tie as Alexis Sanchez was hauled down by Grzegorz Krychowiak in the box and Giroud stood up to slam home the penalty and send Arsenal level going into half-time.

Spurred on by conceding PSG continued to press early in the second half with Lucas motioning to shoot top left from the edge of the area and instead going top right and slamming the ball against the bar.

But it was Arsenal who in fact struck next in the scrappiest of manners. Ramsay fluffed a chance in the box, before Sanchez had a pop, which deflected off Verratti and past Alphonse Areola in goal.

PSG had a shout for a penalty soon after as Lucas played through behind Laurent Koscielny and Cavani chased with David Ospina coming out to collect; the striker threw himself to the ground and the referee said no. The pressure did eventually pay off as Lucas forced matters level on 77 minutes. A corner from the right found him unmarked at the far post where he headed towards goal and an Iwobi deflection sent the ball to the back of the net.

With ten to go PSG should have had a third. Lucas played Cavani in on goal, only for the striker to lob Ospina, instead of going low either side, leaving the keeper to collect with ease.

The French side continued to press and Cavani had another chance to add a third. Lucas got away down the right and crossed for Cavani to glance a header wide from eight yards. However, the point puts PSG in pole position to top the group, which is no less than they deserve after a night where they contained the Gunners superbly.

Photo(@Getty Images/Justin Tallis)

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