Alexis Sanchez netted a vital equaliser as Arsenal started their Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at PSG.
It looked as though we could be in for a nightmare evening when Edinson Cavani opening the scoring inside the opening minute of the match. PSG had started at a blistering pace, but somehow we weathered the storm and gradually managed to find our feet in the match.
The first half was somewhat disappointing, but we improved after the break and could've maybe nicked it in the latter stages. PSG could also have claimed victory had Cavani been more clinical and Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina also not had an inspired game between the sticks. There is no doubting we should've played better, but a draw is still an impressive result against the French giants who many other sides have found a tough nut to crack at the Parc des Princes. PSG have lost only one of their last 40 home games in European competition, so that shows that the draw isn't too bad a result.
The game ended on a sour note following the late dismissals of PSG midfielder Marco Verratti and Arsenal substitute Olivier Giroud. There must have been a feeling of déjà vu for Giroud as he was also sent off in Arsenal's opening champions league game last season - a 2-1 defeat by Dinamo Zagreb.
PSG took just 44 seconds to open the scoring and, although it was far too early to panic, there must have been some Gunners' fans thinking 'oh no not again'. Serge Aurier crossed the ball in for Cavani to head home - a simple yet very effective goal!
The hosts continued to grow in confidence and nearly extended their lead when Angel Di Maria set up Adrien Rabiot, but Laurent Koscielny came to Arsenal's rescue to deny him.
At the other end, Arsenal didn't create too many clear-cut chances as Alex Iwobi saw his effort deflect behind, while Shkodran Mustafi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were off target with their headers.
We were extremely fortunate that, after his goal, Cavani appeared to be having an off day because otherwise the score would've been worse. The striker went past Ospina on the edge of the box, only to miss an open net, before falling as he tried to convert Di Maria's cross soon after. A big let off for Arsenal and it meant we were only 1-0 behind going in at the break.
PSG were playing well and restricting our chances but, with only one goal in it, we always stood a chance providing we kept things solid at the back. Although the defence was decent for parts of the match, we did have to rely on Ospina other times and he really did prove his worth. The Colombian shot-stopper rushed out to deny Aurier before producing even better saves to deny Cavani and Di Maria. Those saves proved cruical as, instead of the Gunners falling further behind, they found themselves in with a chance of actually getting something from the game.
Arsenal finally found an equaliser through Sanchez 13 minutes from time. When Iwobi's initial effort was superbly parried by Alphonse Areola I genuinely thought it wasn't going to be our day, but up stepped Sanchez to slam home the rebound and suddenly the game began to look up again.
Both sides had chances to win it before the end, with Ospina once again denying Cavani before Areola dived to his left to keep out Iwobi's shot at the other end.
An off the ball altercation saw Verratti and Giroud dismissed in stoppage time and, although that tainted the result, a draw is still a pretty decent start considering the tough opposition we had faced. At first glance the dismissal seemed a tad harsh, but also silly of the players who should have known better and tried to avoid any off the ball confrontation.
GROUP A
The group is wide open and all to play for after the opening round of fixtures. FC Basle and Ludogorets also shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw to leave all four sides level in Group A.
The visit of Swiss side FC Basel awaits in the next round of Champions League fixtures later this month and, with home advantage, that is really one we should be looking to take maximum points from.
It is very early stages in Group A and hard to really analyse the direction in which our Champions League journey is going, but if we can make sure we don't drop any points before we meet PSG against at the Emirates, then the next meeting with the French outfit could decide the group.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Performances will need to improve in all competitions, but a draw from what was always likely to be our toughest group match is fairly decent, so we need to make sure we build on this and kick on positively and only time will tell whether we can prove ourselves in Europe this year or if it is going to turn into the same old story. Some expected us to lose this opening game though so we should feel rather upbeat after that result.
A trip to Hull awaits when we return to action in the Premier League and we really need to start upping our game, scoring more goals and really making it count. The Tigers are a team we really should be beating, but we also know from past experience that it won't be easy.
We need to go out there and put in a string of strong and clinical performances, week in week out, and the next month or two should give us a much better idea of what will happen to the Gunners this season. Whatever happens I'll be backing the boys all the way!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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