Paris take command at top after Arsenal draw
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Article summary
Paris fought back to claim a 2-2 draw after Arsenal had staged a comeback of their own, a result that leaves the French club in pole position for top spot in Group A.
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Paris fought back to claim a 2-2 draw at Arsenal as the winner-takes-all showdown in UEFA Champions League Group A ended with the French club taking control of the section ahead of matchday six.
Both teams enjoyed periods where they looked set to seal first place with a victory, but it was Paris who had the crucial final say as Alex Iwobi deflected in a header from Lucas following a corner on 77 minutes.
That handed the French champions the head-to-head advantage over the Gunners, who had responded to Edinson Cavani's 18th-minute opener with Olivier Giroud's penalty on the stroke of half-time and an unfortunate Marco Verratti own goal.
Key player: Lucas (Paris)
Lucas has become a firm favourite under Unai Emery, and the Brazil winger showed exactly why here. Always stretching the game with his pace, he came into his own in the second half, hitting the crossbar with a free-kick, forcing Iwobi into an own goal for the equaliser and almost creating a winner for Cavani with a delicious cross.
Arsenal hang in there
Arsène Wenger's team selection spoke volumes about his desire to win this match and the group, with Olivier Giroud brought into the attack alongside Alexis Sánchez, and Aaron Ramsey preferred in midfield to the more defensive-minded Mohamed Elneny or Granit Xhaka. Yet their first-half performance didn't correlate to their ambitions, with a lack of midfield bite allowing Paris to dominate. Still, Arsenal – as so often against vaunted opposition in the UEFA Champions League – managed to hang on in there and take their chances when they came.
Paris show character
Trailing 2-1 in a contest they controlled with almost regal authority must have been agonising for Paris – not to mention potentially fatal for their hopes of topping the section. Suddenly the Arsenal fans were roused and smelling blood, but Emery's men kept calm and found the solution they required. In fact, they had opportunities to nick all three points as Cavani twice missed out on the winning effort late on.
Reporters' views
Andy Brassell, Arsenal (@UEFAcomAndyB)
This was a curious game, with the visitors superior for long periods but putting themselves in a position where they easily could have lost. Credit must go to Arsenal for their stickability in adversity – and to Wenger, for narrowing his midfield after the break and putting the squeeze on Paris's supremacy in the middle of the park.
Chris Burke, Paris (@UEFAcomChrisB)
That was quite a mixed bag from Paris, who looked so composed in the first period before imploding either side of the break – and who then managed to grab a vital equaliser, only to miss out on the victory due to spurned chances. Still, considered in isolation, this is a fine result which gives the Ligue 1 side the perfect opportunity to now go on and top their group for the first time since 2013/14.
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