LONDON -- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger acknowledged that there's a "90 percent chance" the Gunners will finish second in their Champions League group after Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal gave up a 2-1 lead as Lucas Moura's second-half header was deflected into the net by Alex Iwobi after a corner, giving PSG a better head-to-head record in Group A because of away goals scored. While Arsenal have already clinched a spot in the knockout rounds, they must hope PSG slip up against Ludogorets in the last round in order to finish first and boost their chances of an easier opponent in the round of 16.
A victory would have secured the group win and left Arsenal with a better chance of ending their six-year streak of being eliminated in the round of 16. However, Wenger tried to downplay the likelihood of being drawn against another European giant in the next round.
"At the moment we are second, but it is not over. We have 90 percent chance to finish second, and we wanted to finish first. But at the moment we have not lost a game in this group, and overall we have done the job well," Wenger said.
"Will it be enough to finish first or not? I don't know. Will it be bad or good for us? I think we have to wait for the draw. Because you look at all the groups, and you cannot really guess if it's good or bad. The advantage when you finish first is you play the second game at home. But for me, what is more disappointing is we wanted to win the game and we didn't win it. That's disappointing."
PSG took the lead through Edinson Cavani before Arsenal fought back through Olivier Giroud's penalty and an own-goal by Marco Verratti. But the Gunners couldn't hang on as Lucas was left unmarked to deliver his header from a corner - leaving Wenger frustrated about his side's inability to protect their lead.
"We had a very strong start again in the second half, we were dominant until it was 2-1. And after we dropped off and didn't maintain the pressure, and we paid for that," Wenger said. "It's frustrating because we scored an own-goal basically, on a ball where before it was a goal-kick. And were a bit passive on the corner."
Wenger also downplayed a scuffle between Cavani and Aaron Ramsey when the PSG striker threw an arm out toward the Welshman, leaving him clutching his face. Cavani escaped without a booking, and Wenger rejected the notion he had been lucky to stay on the pitch.
"It was not too much, it's a bit what happens in the games," the Frenchman said.