Laurent Blanc’s failure to convert PSG’s dominance of Ligue 1 into Champions League glory cost the coach his job at Parc des Princes at the end of last season, but the club’s wealthy backers have made their intentions clear by hiring two-time Europa League victor Unai Emery following his Sevilla triumphs.
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The decision to play Ospina set Wenger up for a dramatic fall if Arsenal, who had Olivier Giroud sent off in injury time, lost at the Parc des Princes.
But Wenger hinted he was likely to stick with the Colombian for the visit of Basle in their next Champions League outing.
‘This was maybe his [Ospina] most influential performance for us, ‘ said Wenger.
‘I have two world-class goalkeepers. I thought that we didn’t panic, and overall we were resilient enough, and the resilience comes through experience. If they do not play, you can’t keep two world-class goalkeepers.
“We have a rule that the keepers know (when they will play)”, he added. They know what the rules are for the season.
‘It’s down to performances. On what he delivered tonight, he has the right to stay in the team for the next Champions League game’.
Areola then pushed away Iwobi’s attempt as the game opened up in the closing stages, but the end was marred by an unsavoury incident which saw both Giroud and Verratti dismissed.
‘The ball was on the other side so I didn’t see, ‘ claimed Wenger.
PSG had two more clear chances in the 67th and 69th minutes through Aurier and Cavani.
Indeed, had Cavani not wasted a hatful of chances Arsenal would have been dead and buried before the break.
Wenger believes that the new Arsenal signing will need some time to adapt to life at The Emirates and has told Gunners fans not to expect too much too soon. The resilience is linked to experience’.
“The player broke into the penalty area and, when you have chances, one day you might score, another day you might not”.
The goal was PSG’s quickest ever in the Champions League, but the French champions, and Cavani in particular, were guilty of failing to convert a succession of golden opportunities.
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Arsenal started the second half on the front foot, but Aurier was running riot down the PSG right and another great cross was turned over by Blaise Matuidi. PSG came close to extending its lead in the 13th minute but Ospina tipped a direct corner from Di Maria over the bar, while Arsenal had to wait until the 23rd before creating its first decent chance following a good move from Nacho Monreal down the left.
