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Arsene Wenger praises Edinson Cavani despite handing Arsenal a point after missing series of chances for PSG

Cavani could have scored five goals against Arsenal but a mix of poor finishing and an inspired David Ospina in goal alowed the Gunners to claim a 1-1 draw

Jack de Menezes

Wednesday 14 September 2016 09:53 BST

Edinson Cavani missed a number of chances in PSG's 1-1 draw with Arsenal (Getty)

Arsene Wenger made the strange decision to praise Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani for his performance in the 1-1 Champions League draw on Tuesday night, despite his wasteful finishing in front of goal gifting Arsenal a point from their opening European fixture.

In what is, on paper, their hardest fixture in the Champions League group stages, Arsenal can be satisfied with escaping Paris with a point in the bag. The French league champions have reached the quarter-finals for the last two years – something that Arsenal have not done since 2010.

Yet it could have been a completely different match and on another night, had he brought his best form, Cavani could have ended the match with as five goals after missing a number of chances and also coming up against an inspired David Ospina. The Colombia international goalkeeper produced a string of saves in the second half to keep Arsenal in the match, and allow Alexis Sanchez to score what could prove to be a crucial equaliser in the 77th minute.

Ospina’s performance drew plaudits from Wenger as well as pundits commenting on the game, but Cavani came in for criticism given that he failed to put PSG out of reach. Wenger, though, elected to praise the striker after the match, and claimed that the Uruguay international offered more to his side than just goals.

"I think Cavani was good tonight if I’m honest. I think he was very effective in terms of his pressing," said Wenger.

PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Alphonse Areola

Not really challenged until the final 20 minutes. Unlucky to concede the equaliser after pulling off a great initial save but he denied the Gunners’ any further chances after that. 7 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Serge Aurier

A rounded and mature performance from the right-back. Handled his defensive responsibilities well and threatened going forward, linking up nicely with his teammates in the final third. 8 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Marquinhos

A solid force at the heart of the PSG defence. Never made any glaring errors and happy to deal with the team’s dirty work. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Thiago Silva

Kept Alexis Sanchez under wraps in the first half and was strong in the air throughout. Led his side from the back. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Maxwell

Another PSG defender who impressed in the air. Came in and out of the game though while his distribution was a little off the mark at times. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Marco Verratti

Dangerous presence throughout. Created chances with a number of piercing balls within Arsenal’s final third and threatened with his menacing inside runs. Tarnished his performance with a red card. 7 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Grzegorz Krychowiak

A bit of a wild cannon at times but nonetheless a nuisance. Broke up Arsenal’s play and was particularly effective in the first half. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Adrien Rabiot

Created chances for his side early on but drifted out of the game as it wore on. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Angel di Maria

His deliveries were on point for much of the match while his neat footwork proved a menace. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Edinson Cavani

Strong start, scoring within the very first minute. Missed a number of goal-scoring opportunities though which would have handed PSG the win. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Blaise Matuidi

Worked hard and pressed the Arsenal defence well. Some of his deliveries into the box were a little off at times. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

David Ospina

Not much he could have done for the first goal but enjoyed an excellent second half. Judged to perfection when to come off his line and put in some big saves to keep Arsenal in the game. Their star player. 8 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Hector Bellerin

Struggled to get forward as much as he usually does. Very solid defensively though and put in some important interceptions. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Shkodran Mustafi

A mixed performance from the German. Should have been sharper in the opening minute to deny Cavani his header but he settled into the game and covered well. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Laurent Koscielny

Impressed with his interceptions and blocks, especially in the box, but gave the ball away on occasion. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Nacho Monreal

Also made some key interceptions and blocks throughout the game. After a hesitant start he settled down. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Francis Coquelin

A bit reckless at times and struggled to dictate play. 5 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Santi Cazorla

Much better second half and helped lead a number of Arsenal’s movements going forward. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Some sloppy passing killed his side’s momentum at times and he struggled to threaten that much going forward. 5 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Mesut Ozil

Did what was expected of him. Kept Arsenal ticking over with his clever passing game but nothing exceptional. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Alex Iwobi

Had two prime opportunities to score that he missed but was intrinsic to Sanchez’s equaliser. Didn’t influence the game much until the final 15 minutes. 6 out of 10

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PSG vs Arsenal player ratings

Alexis Sanchez

Far too isolated in the first half but grabbed Arsenal’s all important equaliser. Willing to help out with his team’s defensive duties too. 6 out of 10

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His counterpart, Unai Emery, also refused to criticise Cavani and admitted that while the result was not quite what the home side deserved, he can take confidence in the fact that the players are starting to click together under his tactics after he replaced Laurent Blanc in the summer.

"It's all about having the confidence to score goals. He'd scored a great goal at the start,” said Emery.

"He had three good chances, three very good chances. He wasn't the best but I said that the first thing is creating the chances.

"I'm not pleased with the result, but I'm pleased with the way we played. We're on the right track.

Cavani could have put the match beyond Arsenal's reach (Getty)

"The team showed spirit. The players did well in terms of the football we were asking them to play."

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