Captain Koscielny happy with Arsenal Champions League efforts

Michael Graham
Laurent Koscielny: Believes Arsenal were well worth draw

Laurent Koscielny: Believes Arsenal were well worth draw

Laurent Koscielny insists Arsenal can be happy with their performance in the 1-1 draw with Paris St Germain at the Parc des Princes.

The Gunners got off to the worst possible start when Edinson Cavani headed the hosts ahead inside a minute but he went on to waste a number of golden opportunities before Alexis Sanchez struck to snatch a draw late on.

There was still time for more drama as Arsenal substitute Olivier Giroud tangled with Marco Verratti in an off-the-ball incident which saw both players sent off by referee Viktor Kassai.

The clash in Paris was viewed as Arsenal’s toughest in Group A and Koscielny conceded Arsenal were content with a share of the spoils.

“Both teams tried to play nice football tonight and it was a good game,” the France international told BT Sport 2.

“We come away with one point and we are happy because both teams could have won.”

Despite being happy with both result and performance, the defender admits that Arsenal need to cut out potentially costly slow starts in matches.

“I think it’s a good point but we came here with our ambition and we wanted to have the three points, but when we start like this it’s difficult to play.

“Maybe in the final third we didn’t find the good ball to score, but we came back. During the game against Southampton in the Premier League we slept and we need to change this in the future. We need to be strong from the first minute to the end.

“During the game we played pretty well but if you start like this it’s difficult. Sanchez played well. We found him between the lines.”

In the other match in the group, Swiss side Basle were held to a 1-1 at home to Ludogorets of Bulgaria.