Arsenal escape with 1-1 draw with PSG

Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani wasted at least three clear chances as Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 1-1 draw by English football club Arsenal in their Champions League Group A opener here.

Just 44 seconds into the match at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, the Uruguayan striker scored the very first goal of this season's Champions League, heading in a cross from Serge Aurier who was picked out by Angel Di Maria's long pass, reports Xinhua.

PSG's lead was cancelled out with 12 minutes to go when Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez rifled a low drive into the corner, helping the Gunners salvage a point and a much valued away goal.

The French champions controlled most of the early play. Cavani nearly made Arsene Wenger's side pay when the Uruguayan benefited from Nacho Monreal's poor clearance, rounded Arsenal keeper David Ospina before firing wide.

Cavani missed another chance just before the break as he gathered an Angel Di Maria pass behind the Arsenal back line only to lose his footing.

The striker was at it again in the 71st minute before Ospina rushed off his line to smother his shot.

It could have been worse for Arsenal if not for a superb block of Ospina who stretched to tip Di Maria's volley over the bar just moments ahead of Sanchez's equaliser for the London club.

Both sides ended with 10 men after the visitors' French forward Olivier Giroud, who started on the bench, and PSG's Italian midfielder Marco Verratti were shown their second yellow cards in stoppage time.

PSG, who suffered a lackluster start in Ligue 1 and took only one point from their last two domestic league games, next travel to Ludogorets while Wenger's side will host Basel 15 days later.

--IANS

pur/mr