Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal played out an entertaining draw in their opening game of the group A of the Champions League. It was PSG who grabbed the lead when Edinson Cavani directed a Serge Aurier cross into the far side of the goal post within the first minute.
However, the side was unable to add to their lead, despite creating a number of chances and a late equalizer from Alexis Sanchez ensured that the points were split amongst them at the end of the night.
In this segment, we take a look at the player ratings from last evening’s game. (The ratings are out of 10)
Paris Saint-Germain
Alphonse Areola – 7
The goalkeeper made a superb block to deny Iwobi after the Arsenal equalizer. He was in complete control of the box for most parts of the evening.
Marquinhos – 7
He did not put a foot wrong through the evening and was a rock at the back. His vision and ability to disrupt the opposition’s rhythm came to the forefront during the evening.
Thiago Silva – 7
He was calm and composed and forged a solid partnership alongside Marquinhos.
Serge Aurier – 7.5
Aurier was a constant threat to the Arsenal defence and made some amazing runs down the right-hand side of the field. It was his cross that found Cavani in the opening minute for the PSG goal.
Maxwell – 6
He was hardly visible in the match. While he did add to his side’s defensive muscle and presence, there is not a lot he offered in attack.
Adrien Rabiot – 6
He started well, but failed to leave his stamp on the game.
Grzegorz Krychowiak – 7.5
The Polish midfielder had a great game, pulling the right strings in the midfield and creating space for himself as well as his teammates with his movement and passing.
Angel Di Maria – 7.5
Di Maria had a brilliant evening as he created a number of wonderful chances. However, his finishing was not up to the mark.
Blaise Matuidi – 6
The Frenchman was played in an unfamiliar role on the left wing. However, he grew into the game and displayed an ability to add to his side’s attacking threat in the final third of the pitch.
Marco Verratti – 8
The Italian was arguably PSG’s best player of the evening. He made telling contributions in defence and was tidy in possession as well as passing. It remains to be seen if PSG will appeal against the contentious decision to send him off during the later stages of the game.
Edinson Cavani – 6
Edinson Cavani started the game brilliantly as he found the back of the net in the first minute. However, thereafter, it was a story he would like to forget as he missed numerous chances to improve upon his side’s lead.
Substitutes
Thomas Meunier – N/A
Brought on as a late substitute.
Javier Pastore – N/A
The Argentine made a 10-minute cameo and was hardly involved in the game.
Thiago Motta – 6
He came on as a substitute for Rabiot and did his best to enforce the game, however, to no avail.
Arsenal
David Ospina – 9
The goalkeeper was largely responsible for Arsenal gaining a point as he made numerous saves to keep his side in the game.
Nacho Monreal – 6
He was exposed by the pace of Aurier in the first half. However, he grew into the game and provided a defensively sound performance in the second half.
Shkodran Mustafi – 7
The German was very poor at the start. However, he made up for the same with a solid display in the later stages of the game, keeping the PSG attack in check.
Laurent Koscielny – 7
Like his partner, he seemed like a player who was destined for an atrocious evening and grew as the game got on.
Hector Bellerin – 6
The Spaniard was largely restricted to a defensive role and failed to add to his side’s attack.
Francis Coquelin – 6
He constantly denied Verratti and Krychowiak time and space on the ball and was not shy to put his body on the line for his team.
Santi Cazorla – 6
Cazorla made some telling passes but was anonymous for large parts of the game.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6.5
His pace ensured that he got into critical positions on the pitch. However, he was unable to utilize them, as his decision making cost him a chance to make a notable contribution to his side’s attack.
Mesut Ozil – 4
Ozil struggled during the game and was unable to create any chances.
Alexis Sanchez – 7
He struggled at the start due to lack of support. An incredible finish and some glorious passes ensured that he finished the game on a high note.
Alex Iwobi – 6
Was his side’s best-attacking threat alongside Sanchez and came close to winning the game for Arsenal with a late chance.
Substitutes
Olivier Giroud – 5
He provided his side with a focal point to direct their attacking abilities. However, his night ended with a reckless challenge on Verratti.
Granit Xhaka – 6
Continued in the footsteps of Coquelin after replacing him as he hassled the PSG midfield.
Mohamed El Nenny – N/A
Came on too late to make an impact.
