Arsenal Vs Paris Saint Germain: Recap, Highlights And Analysis

Arsenal hosted Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night in the Champions League. Here is the full recap, all the highlights and analysis from the 2-2 draw.

In one of the most entertaining draws that you are likely to see, both Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, given their safety in having qualified for the knockout stages already and their need to push for the win thanks to the importance of the head-to-head record in the league standings, played an open system, looking for goals, rather than trying to avoid conceding.

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The first half started as much of the game continued. Both teams looked to dominate possession, though only one had the skill and the calmness on the ball and the shape and intensity without it to do so. Marco Verratti, Thiago Motta, Grzegorz Krychowiak and Blaise Matuidi were sensational throughout the opening 45 minutes.

All were comfortable in possession, even in tight situations under pressure and all were able to press, in unison, when in defensive areas. PSG were far better the side, and while chances were still few and far between, bar an Edinson Cavani header when he slipped to the near post completely unmarked from a corner, the pressure was beginning to show.

The inevitable breakthrough came and it was, once again, through the Uruguayan. When Matuidi was beautifully slipped in down the left channel, leaving Shkodran Mustafi on his heels, Cavani simply peeled to the far post, peered past the shoulder of Laurent Koscielny to see a ball roll across his front. A simple outstretched stud poked the ball home and PSG were very simply one goal to the good.

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The remainder of the first half continued in much of the same manner, but PSG, while always looking the far superior team, never threatened to add to their lead. Arsenal, while playing lethargically, lacking any energy or intensity, particularly without the ball when pressing the French champions, worked their way back into the game thanks to a Krychowiak trip on Alexis Sanchez, who neatly cut inside, and a calm Olivier Giroud penalty. It was the last kick of the half and it was a significant one.

The second half started in stark contrast to the first. Arsenal pushed high up the pitch, played at a much higher pace, and challenged the technically proficient PSG midfield. The game really livened up in the final 45 minutes. The Gunners looked more dangerous going forward, PSG continued to look composed in possession and the crowd began to enjoy a real Champions League night.

Arsenal were rewarded for their adventure in the second half as well. With Alex Iwobi drifting inside, he looked up, played a ball wide to Carl Jenkinson who was far improved in the second half, a low cross came to the feet of Aaron Ramsey, a shot, a clearance and an unlucky Verratti deflection later, and Alphonse Areola could only dive to his right in desperation as the ball desparingly rolled past his outstretched arm.

While the lead was enjoyed, PSG continued to probe and it was those pesky corners that paved the way for their equaliser. With Jenkinson in close attention, Lucas Moura lost him, peeling to the back post and powered a header back towards goal. With Iwobi on the post, the header should have been simply cleared, but the young Nigerian failed to get enough purchase on the clearance and only failed to flick the ball into the net.

It was a poor goal to concede that meant that Arsenal now had to push for the winner given the away goals that put PSG ahead in the head-to-head record. In pushing forward, Cavani, whose movement was a tremendous throughout, exploited the space in behind a now very high back line. Thankfully, being the wasteful finisher that he is, the Uruguayan proceeded to poorly chip straight into the hands of Ospina before smashing a glancing header wide after making yet another darting run from the back post.

Next: Arsenal Vs PSG: Combined XI

Ultimately, the 2-2 draw is a bad result for Arsenal and their hopes of topping their Champions League group. PSG now top the group heading into the final matchday and with Ludogorets at home, the Gunners are relying on a near impossible result in the French champions dropping points. PSG were the better side on Wednesday and the result is a tad disappointing, but the second half performance did show much improvement from recent lacklustre performances.

Highlights

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