Top spot in Group A is now an uphill task for Arsenal following their 2-2 draw with PSG, but at least qualification into the next round of the Champions League is assured.
The Gunners had given themselves a good chance of finishing top of the pile after claiming 10 points from a possible 12 from their opening four group games.
Qualification was already confirmed after match-day four and, with home advantage against PSG, Arsenal started the game at the Emirates with their fate in their own hands. Whilst it is not impossible for them to still finish top, the chances are now slim after the draw.
As a stand-alone result a point against PSG is reasonable, but considering what was at stake it is very disappointing. What makes it more disappointing is the fact that for the second consecutive game we have managed just one shot on target throughout the whole game. That isn't good enough and needs to be addressed if we are to progress beyond the first knockout round of the Champions League.
Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs kept the scores goalless with a goal-line clearance, but the Gunners were unable to do anything to prevent PSG's opener after 18 minutes. Edinson Cavani, who also scored when the sides last met in France back in September, slid in to convert Blaise Matuidi's cross.
PSG were looking the more confident of the two sides, but their hard work was done when Arsenal equalised through Olivier Giroud and got themselves right back into the contest on the stroke of half-time . Giroud won the ball on the edge of the box before Mesut Ozil played in Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean was then tripped by Grzegorz Krychowiak and, although it was soft, there was definitely contact and a penalty was given. Giroud made no mistake from the spot as he slotted home. Arsenal had been largely second best in the first half, but that goal appeared to change things as the Gunners came out with renewed purpose after the break.
Although Arsenal started the second half brightly, it was PSG who created the first decent chance after the restart when Lucas' curling free-kick hit the crossbar.
Arsenal took the lead on the hour mark albeit in rather fortuitous circumstances. Carl Jenkinson tried to set up Aaron Ramsey, but his team-mate was unable to connect with the ball properly, which allowed PSG to win back possession. But the French side failed to get rid of the danger as their clearance hit Marco Verratti on the shins before going into his own net.
Out of nowhere Arsenal were suddenly in the driving seat and had a chance of reaffirming their grip on top spot, but PSG refused to give up and had a penalty shout turned down when Cavani went down in the box. It looked like there was very little contact if any from Laurent Koscielny so it would have been very harsh had that gone against us.
The French giants levelled the scores 13 minutes from time as Lucas sent a header towards goal before the slightest touch from Alex Iwobi took it beyond goalkeeper David Ospina and into the net.
Arsenal were now in desperate need of a third goal if they were to snatch top spot back, but it was PSG who looked more like scoring another. Fortunately for Arsenal, Cavani was wasteful in front of goal so they were at least able to take a share of the spoils. Cavani broke clear and looked almost certain to beat Ospina, but he went to chip it and his effort was comfortably saved by the Colombian shot-stopper. Cavani had another chance to make amends, but this time he headed wide from Lucas' cross.
Arsenal have still not lost since their 4-3 defeat by Liverpool back in August and, whilst this form is encouraging, we really need to stop drawing so many games. In some ways it shows great resilience, but it could also be what stops us from winning silverware, so improvements are needed in getting more shots on target and converting more of our chances.
GROUP A
With just one round of fixtures left to play, Arsenal look set for another second-place finish in the group stages. Although it is our own fault that we now lie second behind PSG, there is a rule that I find very irritating.
It isn't just because I'm an Arsenal fan as I would feel some sympathy to PSG if the situation was the other way round. If the two teams are still level on points after the final round of group games it gets decided by head-to-head. To me, as both games between the sides were drawn, it should then be decided by goal difference, but that isn't the case. Instead the French champions have the advantage on head-to-head away goals. That seems such a silly rule, but rules are rules, so we have to just accept it and get on with it.
The only way we can get top spot in Group A now is if we go and get a win at FC Basel and PSG fail to beat Ludogorets. It is a very big ask. Had it been in Bulgaria, I would have felt slightly more slim hope of an upset, but I really can't see PSG losing at home to Ludogorets, who they beat 3-1 in the previous meeting. But I guess while there is mathematically still a chance we can't give up.
If we do end up finishing second, which looks likely, then we would have to face a group winner in the round of 16. Usually this means a tougher opponent, but finishing top of the group wouldn't necessarily mean an easier game. As things stand Bayern Munich and Real Madrid would also finish as runners-up of their respective groups, so should we somehow get a miracle and overhaul PSG at the top we could still get one of the toughest draws. There are no guarantees in football and, whatever happens, the round of 16 is going to be tough once again.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
If finishing second means we avoid Bayern Munich and Real Madrid then some may say that's a good thing, but I can't help but feel disappointed that we are not top of our group.
It really felt like this year we would stop the rot of finishing second and actually claim top spot and it is frustrating that it looks like this isn't going to happen.
But, what will be will be, and we need to just get on with it and make sure we get a positive result against FC Basel. Whether we finish second or somehow get top spot the next round is going to be tricky.
There is no point being in the Champions League if you don't want to pit your wits against the best sides, so I don't actually mind who we draw in the next round, but we certainly need to up our game.
Before our European adventure resumes again we need to switch our focus back to the league and the visit of Bournemouth. It is definitely a winnable game and we really must stop our run of draws and get back to winning ways. But we can't take the Cherries lightly and need to make sure we put in a performance of a very high standard.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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