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Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 23, 2016 at 7.45pm UK
 
PL

2-2

Giroud (45' pen.), Verratti (59' og.)
FT(HT: 1-1)
Cavani (18'), Iwobi (77' og.)

Live Commentary: Arsenal 2-2 Paris Saint-Germain - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Arsenal 2-2 Paris Saint-Germain - as it happened: ID:285879: from db_amp
Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

An own goal from Alex Iwobi has earned Paris Saint-Germain a 2-2 draw at Arsenal in the Champions League.

PSG led through Edinson Cavani but a penalty from Olivier Giroud and an own goal from Marco Verratti saw Arsenal move to the brink of finishing in top spot in Grpup A.

However, Iwobi's late own goal has left the Gunners facing the prospect of a tough tie when the last-16 draw takes place next month.

Read below to see how the action unfolded at the Emirates Stadium.

Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Champions League between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
Over the past few years, Arsenal supporters would have probably settled for 10 points from four outings because it most likely would have sealed their place in the knockout stages but for once, a runners-spot won't be considered enough. The Gunners have put together a good run of form in Group A and it leaves them with the task of needing to beat Paris Saint-German and avoiding defeat against Basel to win the group. Anything less and it will be considered "same old Arsenal"...
As second seeds in the group, finishing behind PSG would only be going along with what was predicted by many at the start of this year's group stages but it's because Arsenal have led since Matchday One that second place really wouldn't be accepted. While first place won't guarantee Arsene Wenger's men an easy draw in the last 16, it would at least lower the chances of Arsenal being drawn alongside either Barcelona or Bayern Munich in what have effectively been annual fixtures over the last few years.
Anyway, without further ado, let's take a look at the two starting lineups...
ARSENAL XI: Ospina, Jenkinson, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Ramsey, Alexis, Ozil, Iwobi, Giroud
ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Cech, Monreal, Gabriel, Xhaka, Elneny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN XI: Areola; Maxwell, T.Silva, Marquinhos, Meunier; Motta, Krychowiak, Verratti; Matuidi, Cavani, Lucas
We will have news on the PSG substitutes' bench a little later but for now, let's take a look at the Arsenal side which sees four changes from their 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the weekend. The big news sees Olivier Giroud preferred to Theo Walcott in attack while Alex Iwobi is chosen on the flank with Aaron Ramsey able to revert back to his more familiar centre-midfield role. Mohamed Elneny is the man to drop out. Kieran Gibbs gets the nod over Nacho Monreal at left-back with David Ospina taking the place of Petr Cech between the sticks.
Yesterday, it emerged that Serge Aurier would miss the game after being refused entry into the United Kingdom so Maxwell and Thomas Meunier operate in the full-back positions. The rest of the team is as expected with Edinson Cavani and Lucas Moura likely to pose the biggest threat for the French champions.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN SUBSTITUTES: Trapp, Kimpembe, Ben Arfa, Jese, Nkunku, Augustin, Ikone
RESULT! It may not have come in Group A but we have to bring you up-to-date with the goings-on between Rostov and Bayern Munich because the minnows have only gone and recorded their first-ever win in the competition against one of the tournament favourites! Read our on-the-whistle report by clicking here.
HEAD TO HEAD! Would you believe us if we told you that tonight's contest is just the fourth between the two clubs? You'd assume that they have met on a regular basis but aside from this season, they have only previously met in a Cup Winner's Cup tie in 1994. Arsenal came away with a draw and a win 22 years ago so that sees them go into tonight's match on a three-match unbeaten streak.
REVERSE FIXTURE! The reverse fixture in Paris took place on Matchday One and it was a game which PSG dominated for large parts. However, after taking a first-minute lead through Cavani, they could not put the game out of sight and they paid the price as Alexis Sanchez scored with 13 minutes to go. Click here to take a look back at that game.
Of course, that game will also be remembered for Giroud getting sent off in added-on time but the Frenchman has an opportunity to make amends after being handed a recall to the starting lineup. He has been in fine form of late with five goals in as many games and with Walcott losing his way in the final third, it's an alteration that comes as no surprise. With Sanchez said to be struggling with a slight hamstring injury, it could be left to Giroud to make the biggest impact for his side tonight.
With less than 20 minutes to go until kickoff, it's about time we took a look at PSG who haven't had it all their own way in Ligue 1 this season. They are the form team in the division but they sit three points adrift of shock leaders Nice. They have won five of their last six matches back in France but they are facing higher-calibre opponents in Arsenal and cannot afford to a below-par performances. Want a quick look at their results for the entire season? Go ahead and click here.
He may have only netted three goals in the Premier League this season but Mesut Ozil has found it much easier to get on the scoresheet in Europe. In all fairness, all of his goals have come against Ludogorets but a hat-trick against the Bulgarians was followed by an outrageous last-minute individual effort which capped a comeback from his team. Maybe it's the Champions League music that motivates him these days.
HEAD TO HEAD! Arsenal were disappointing against Manchester United at the weekend but we are backing them to achieve top spot in Group A this evening with a famous win. Wenger will need all of his star players firing on all cylinders but if they can play with a high intensity from the opening whistle, they can make it an easier night for themselves. Arsenal to win 3-1.
The other game in this group sees Ludogorets face Basel but remember, the result of that game is of no relevance to either Arsenal or PSG. They are nine points clear of both teams so that game is purely about trying to secure a place in the Europa League.
It's finally time for the two teams to make their way out at the Emirates Stadium. Around 3,000 fans have made the short trip from Paris so we should have a fantastic atmosphere in North London tonight.
Arsenal get us underway.
The home side started with the high intensity that I called for at the start of the game but a couple of mistakes has led to PSG dominating much of possession in these early stages. Both teams showing their hand early.
Arsenal are having much more of the ball now but they are being chased down well by PSG. It nearly leads to Ospina being caught in possession by Cavani but the second-choice stopper was able to get rid of the ball just in time.
We are yet to see a shot on goal but the passing and inter-changes are sharp and I don't think it will be too long before we see either goalkeeper tested. We are yet to see much of Sanchez.
Still no shots on goal and I think the crowd are beginning to clock on to the fact we are yet to see anyone try their luck in and around the area. The best we have seen so far is Cavani failing to make contract with a header inside the penalty area.
CHANCE! Huge let off for Arsenal! A corner from the right isn't the best but Cavani's flick on deflects off the boot of Silva and Gibbs is forced to clear off the line.
GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Paris Saint-Germain (Cavani)
It hadn't necessarily been coming but Arsenal have started very slowly and they have paid the price. After Matuidi was played in down the left, he sent the ball across to Cavani who was able to slide in at the back post to give PSG the lead from no more than three yards out.
That goal has certainly woken up the crowd but there's only frustration coming from the stands right now. Arsenal really haven't got going and this isn't the first time of late. It's as ineffective as the Manchester United performance so far.
Arsenal finally have a bit of joy in the final third as Ozil gets behind the PSG defence but after a few twists and turns, his cross is blocked before ricocheting back off him.
Ramsey and Giroud combine to release the Welsh midfielder into the area but he is superbly dispossessed by Silva who also manages to win a goal kick for his troubles. Arsenal are having no joy whatsoever in the final third. It could be a long night.
BOOKING! Marquinhos goes into the book for preventing Arsenal launching a counter-attack through Sanchez.
BOOKING! This is a harsh booking for Coquelin. He went in hard on Motta but he got all of the ball. It wasn't good enough for the referee, however, and Coquelin will now miss the game in Basel.
Arsenal barely created anything during the second half against Manchester United on Saturday afternoon so they've nearly gone through 90 minutes without only one clear-cut effort on goal and that was Giroud's header at Old Trafford. They've been so ineffective in attack tonight.
A corner! Arsenal have a corner! Let's start the ticker-tape parade...

It's played short and Iwobi's cross is poor. Back to square one.

Jenkinson gets an opportunity to whip a cross into the box but he over-hits it and it goes out for a goal kick. The crowd are soon on his back, which isn't going to help things.
As I said, ineffective.


PENALTY TO ARSENAL! Sanchez is brought down by Krychowiak in the penalty area. Huge chance for Arsenal!
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain (Giroud)
HALF TIME: Arsenal 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain
The half-time whistle goes at the Emirates Stadium and unbelievably, Arsenal are level. There only shot on goal in the entire 45 minutes was that penalty and PSG are going to be livid that they haven't gone into the break with a lead.
We are back underway at the Emirates Stadium.
I'd like to think that this match can only get better but we have had an uneventful opening four minutes to this second half. Of course, it's early days but I was expecting a faster start from Arsenal.
Iwobi is looking the most energetic of the Arsenal players but you have to think that's probably because he has been told he will be coming off first, or am I being too cynical?
BOOKING! Koscielny gets himself into trouble on the edge of the penalty area and he is forced to bring down the PSG player who was about to dispossess him.
WOODWORK! So, so close from Lucas Moura! What an outrageous effort from the free kick. His shot struck the crossbar and went behind for a goal kick. Ospina never had a chance.
BOOKING! Verratti now goes into the book for hauling down Sanchez. He will now miss the final group game.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Paris Saint-Germain (Verratti own goal)
Talk about lucky! Arsenal take the lead in very fortuitious circumstances but I am sure that they don't care! Ramsey's shot was blocked by Silva but the ball rebounded off Verratti and went into the bottom corner from 10 yards out! Arsenal will top the group if they can see the rest of this game.
HUGE penalty appeals from PSG after Koscielny appears to push Cavani to the ground but the replay shows that the defender barely touched him and it's the right decision by the referee. Cavani was very theatrical.
There's a real openness to this game now but while Arsenal look threatening on the break, it doesn't really suit them. Krychowiak has just been replaced by Hatem Ben Arfa - expect even more space to open up.
I'm rather surprised that Wenger hasn't introduced either Xhaka or Elneny yet. It would show that he is looking to see out the game but the Gunners could do with more steel in the midfield. Coquelin is also carrying a yellow card.
SHOT! PSG are desperate for an equaliser but they shouldn't be so desperate that Motta is having to shoot from more than 30 yards out. His effort goes several yards over the bar.
Arsenal do an excellent job of bullying Verratti and reclaiming possession but after Sanchez is teed up by Giroud, he can't find the sliding Ramsey at the back post. Decent opening for the Gunners.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Paris Saint-Germain (Iwobi own goal)
Disaster for Arsenal and for Iwobi! Ben Arfa's corner to the back post finds Lucas Moura who heads on goal and the ball ends up in the net. However, replays show that Iwobi made the telling touch and that will probably go down as an own goal. Arsenal need to rally.
CHANCE! Oh my word. How casual is Cavani?! A through-ball sends him clear of the Arsenal defence but he attempts to chip Ospina, only to clip the ball straight into the hands of the goalkeeper. It's an abysmal effort.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain have both been introduced by Wenger. Arsenal are going for the win.
CHANCE! How has Cavani not scored a second goal here?! Lucas supplies the perfect cross for the forward but he sends his glancing header wide of the post from eight yards.
Time is starting to run out for Arsenal. They are pushing for the goal that they require to stay at the top of Group A but they are unable to create an opening.
There will be three minutes of added-on time. PSG are starting to dominate possession.
It's been all PSG over the last five minutes. This game is over.
FULL TIME: Arsenal 2-2 Paris Saint-Germain
The full-time whistle goes at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal have been held by PSG. It's a result that leaves the Gunners staring at another second place in the group stages of the Champions League. They need Ludogorets to do them a favour in Paris...
That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope that you can stick around for all of the reaction which will follow in the next hour or so. Goodbye for now.
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