Alexis Sanchez strikes late as Arsenal escape PSG with a draw

Alexis Sanchez struck late to rescue Arsenal as they secured a fortunate 1-1 draw at Paris Saint Germain in their Champions League Group A opener.

The Chilean rifled a low drive into the corner 13 minutes from time after the hosts had led inside 46 seconds courtesy of Edinson Cavani's smart header.

PSG's Uruguayan striker was the early hero but he finished the game as a bit of a villain as he failed to convert a number of gilt-edged opportunities that would have given Unai Emery's men the commanding advantage their performance deserved.

Arsenal clung on with David Ospina, controversially selected ahead of Petr Cech, producing a series of fine saves to keep the visitors in it before Sanchez's smash and grab effort from a rare foray forward.

The two sides finished the match with 10-men as the impressive Marco Verratti and Gunners substitute Olivier Giroud were harshly sent off in injury time for their second bookable offences.

The result is a real boost for Arsenal in what is widely perceived as their most difficult Group A clash on paper. With Basel and Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets making up the pool this was a meeting between the two teams many would expect to progress, meaning the Gunners will go into their forthcoming fixtures buoyed by the knowledge they got out of jail for what was a largely disjointed and poor showing.

David Ospina's redemption. The Colombian's inclusion drew great scorn ahead of kick off as many pointed to his shocking showing against Olympiacos in a home loss in last season's competition. The keeper was surprisingly picked ahead of Cech in Paris but fully justified his inclusion with a series of fine saves that eventually proved key to this point.

Serge Aurier (PSG): Sensational from right back. Stormed forward at will and provided a superb assist for the opening goal. Left the pitch early with a knock but the Ivorian fully enhanced his reputation as one of the best emerging full backs playing in Europe. Marquinhos and Verratti (despite the late red card) were also hugely impressive for PSG, but Aurier was so good he just gets the nod.

PSG: Areola 6; Aurier 9, Marquinhos 8, T Silva 7, Maxwell 7; Verratti 8, Krychowiak 7, Rabiot 7; Di Maria 8, Cavani 6, Matuidi 7. Subs: Motta 6, Pastore n/a, Meunier n/a .

Arsenal: Ospina 8, Bellerin 6, Mustafi 5, Koscielny 6, Monreal 6, Coquelin 6, Cazorla 5, Iwobi 6, Ozil 5, Oxlade-Chamberlain 5, Alexis 6. Subs: Giroud 5, Xhaka 6, Elneny n/a.

1' - GOAL! PSG 1-0 Arsenal. PSG lead inside a minute! A lightning break down the right sees Serge Aurier cross for Cavani to guide a header into the far corner.

34' - PSG CHANCE! It should be 2-0. Verratti slides a delightful pass in-behind for Cavani. It leaves Monreal stretching to cut it out and allows the forward to round Ospina before somehow firing a shot wide of the empty goal.

70' - PSG CHANCE! Cavani benefits from a ricochet off Koscielny to burst free into the box, but Ospina denies him once more with a superb stop.

72' - PSG CHANCE! ! Ospina pulls off another super save to deny Di Maria's rising drive from inside the area.

77' - GOAL! PSG 1-1 Arsenal. The Gunners are somehow level. Iwobi sees his thumping drive beaten away by Areola but Sanchez reacts and slams it into the corner from 10 yards out.

80' - PSG CHANCE! Ospina produces more heroics! Cavani tries to round the keeper in the area but the Colombian gets a fine touch on it to divert it to safety.

90+3' - TWO MEN OFF! A crazy finale! Giroud and Veratti both pick up second yellows and the teams will each finish with 10 men.

90+4' - PSG CHANCE! Marquinhos somehow fails to convert at the far post after Di Maria's right-wing corner had been flicked on!

Three of Edinson Cavani's last four Champions League goals have been against English opposition (two v Chelsea, one v Arsenal).

Edinson Cavani scored after 46 seconds for PSG - the fastest goal ever for the club in the CL. The previous record was also set by Cavani, as he scored after 57 seconds against APOEL in 2014.

Cavani's header was the fastest goal Arsenal have ever conceded in the Champions League.

Alexis Sanchez has scored four and assisted five of Arsenal’s last 14 Champions League goals (64%).

Giroud has been sent off on MD1 of the CL in each of the last two seasons.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their 13 away games against French clubs in European competition (W8 D5).