Arsenal came from behind to force a 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League opener at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday night.
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Cavani headed PSG in front within a minute of the game’s beginning, but PSG paid for his profligacy in failing to add to its advantage.
Arsenal were much improved in the second half and pressed PSG higher up the pitch with Alexis Sanchez getting more on the ball but to no effect.
Emery has made many changes to his starting team in four games in Ligue 1, where PSG have managed just seven points, and he made more alterations on Tuesday, notably replacing ever-present goalkeeper Kevin Trapp with Alphonse Areola.
“He’s one of the best strikers in the world and Im not anxious”, said Khelaifi said of Cavani, who has always racked up the goals but also has a habit of conjuring breathtaking misses – he squandered two golden chances to increase PSG’s lead against Arsenal before the interval.
“We have learned from our previous mistakes so we were stronger at the back. It’s down to performances and on what he has delivered tonight he has the right to claim to play in the next Champions League game”. “I know the fans will say “we finish third or fourth every year” – I know last year we finished second – but you’ve got to be competing against the likes of City, United, Chelsea”. What we want is to use that in a very efficient way. It is going to be step by step. “It’s a good point for us”. “We need to play like this in future”, insisted the Spaniard Emery, who refused to be critical of Cavani.
The match ended in unsavoury fashion when Verratti and Giroud were both dismissed for clashing off the ball.
Wenger spent £35 million to prise Xhaka from Borussia Moenchengladbach during the close season, making him one of Arsenal’s biggest ever signings. I didn’t understand, so I asked him: “‘What are you doing?’ Then he got up quickly and Marquinhos pushed me from behind”. I think he and (Laurent) Koscielny can create a good partnership together. I personally prefer him as a box-to-box player. The ref didn’t even see what’s happened.
“Arsenal’s style influenced me”.
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After the push, Giroud bumped into Veratti, who fell over for the second time, leading to second yellow cards for both players. I have decisions to make and I do what I believe is best in each match. Verratti also told me he did nothing. They go into Saturday’s game level on points with Arsenal and Wenger praised their caretaker manager Mike Phelan, who has been offered the job on a permanent basis.
