The Switzerland global has only started two matches since signing from Borussia Monchengladbach for a reported £35million and came off the bench for the final 19 minutes of the 1-1 draw away to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.
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Wenger surprisingly picked the Colombian ahead of Petr Cech for Tuesday’s group game at Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsène Wenger (Arsenal coach): “I have the feeling we contained Paris Saint-Germain quite well, they’re a good team and started strongly”.
PSG played out a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in Champions League on Tuesday.
After scoring PSG’s opener, Cavani missed three clear-cut chances in a one-sided match at the Parc des Princes.
Despite not exerting the same level of control in the second period, PSG were still the most likely to score and Angel di Maria and Aurier exchanged passes to slice through the Arsenal defence as the latter was denied by Ospina. “When he played in the Champions League last season, he made an error and everyone came down on him, but he has put things right”.
Wenger did not rule out Xhaka playing alongside Cazorla in a more defensive-minded role, but added that Coquelin’s experience has tipped the scale in his favour after Arsenal made a stuttering start to the campaign. “I take responsibility for it because I had the clearest opportunities”.
“We can always change our minds”.
It is the second time in consecutive seasons that Giroud has been sent off in Arsenal’s opening Champions League group-stage game following his dismissal in 2015-16’s defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.
Wenger expected Ospina to feature more for the club this season.
In the first half, PSG were all over Arsenal, pressing high, looking solid and creating chances, unlike in their first league outings. In the second half we played higher, and after the kick-off in the second half we had a good chance to come back, which we did. When Cavani took advantage of an error by Nacho Monreal, Ospina was rash in coming off his line and lucky to see the Uruguayan shank his effort wide.
“I am not happy with the result but I am happy with how we played”.
“But when we start like this it’s hard to play”.
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Paul Mariner talks Alexis Sanchez’s importance to Arsenal and whether the Chilean will stay with the Gunners long-term. “That is positive for the future”.
