Sanchez scores as Arsenal rescues point from a wasteful PSG

Alexis Sanchez scored in the second half to rescue a point for Arsenal against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League opener.

It took less than a minute (42 seconds) for Edinson Cavani to head PSG in front, but the Uruguayan missed three more clear opportunities before Sanchez drew Wenger’s men level in the 77th minute.

Arsene Wenger dropped goalkeeper Petr Cech for back-up David Ospina, but the Colombian shot-stopper could do nothing about PSG’s opener as Cavani stole in to finish from a Serge Aurier cross.

Arsenal were outplayed by Paris Saint Germain for the most part of the first half, as Wenger left Olivier Giroud and Granit Xhaka on the bench.

Arsenal were lucky not to have conceded more, after Edinson Cavani put PSG ahead in the first minute. But Ospina kept the score at 1-0, constantly denying Cavani another goal.

Alexis Sanchez equalised with Arsenal’s first real chance, and suddenly Arsenal’s start to their Champions League campaign looked far more respectable

Di Maria threatened Ospina’s goal in the 13th minute with an attempt directly from a corner, but the keeper was to react by tipping the ball over the bar.

PSG controlled much of the early play and Cavani nearly made the Gunners pay again on 34 minutes when Nacho Monreal’s poor clearance fell right to the striker, who skipped pass Ospina but fired wide off the mark.

Arsenal came out after the half-time looking more composed and grew into the game but had trouble finding a way past PSG Brazilian defenders Marquinhos and Thiago Silva.

Wenger looked to turned to his bench and brought on Giroud in place of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

But it was still the French champions dictating the game and creating the majority of the chances.

The first shot on 77 minutes from Alex Iwobi was parried by Alphonse Areola and when it fell to Sanchez in the box He struck it beautifully to beat PSG’s goalkeeper.

Verratti and Giroud clashed off the ball in added time. Both received their second bookings and were sent off.

An ugly end to a messy match, but Arsenal and Arsene Wenger will be happy with the point shared.