Olivier Giroud Talks Marco Verratti, Red Cards After PSG vs. Arsenal Draw

Olivier Giroud has blamed Marco Verratti for escalating the incident that saw both players sent off late in Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. 

The pair clashed off the ball in stoppage time of the UEFA Champions League clash, with Verratti going to ground twice, the second time after Giroud was pushed into him by PSG defender Marquinhos.

Both were already on yellow cards for earlier offences and so were both given their marching orders following the incident, but Giroud believes he was unfairly treated, per MailOnline's Tom Bassam:

"

Being on a yellow card, I didn't want to make waves. I obstructed Verratti, he threw himself to the ground and I don't understand. Marquinhos pushed me from behind and I don't know how Verratti falls a second time. It escalated the situation. It's frustrating, especially since I don't know if the referee saw what happened. I was really surprised at his behaviour.

"

Striker Giroud, 29, will now miss Arsenal's next Champions League clash—at home to FC Basel—while 23-year-old midfielder Verratti will be banned for PSG's trip to face Ludogorets.

Giroud only came on as a substitute at the Parc des Princes in the 63rd minute and, while he did give the Gunners more impetus in attack, he was frustratingly ill-disciplined from the off, per Squawka:

It is the second time in consecutive seasons that the France international has been sent off in Arsenal's opening Champions League group-stage game following his dismissal in 2015-16's defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.

In his post-match interview, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger said he believed Giroud's claim that he did not deserve to be sent off on Tuesday, per BT Sport Football:

It is a largely academic point now, though, and Wenger will be happy to have scraped a draw against PSG despite Giroud's dismissal.

Arsenal were dominated for much of the match and found themselves 1-0 down in the opening minute when Edinson Cavani headed home Serge Aurier's cross.

Wenger controversially started David Ospina in goal instead of Petr Cech, but the Colombian repaid his manager's faith by making a string of fine saves in the second half to keep Arsenal in the match, per the Mirror's John Cross:

As a result, Alexis Sanchez was able to secure a point for Arsenal when he struck from the edge of the box 13 minutes from time.

The Chile international started the game as Arsenal's central striker but looked much more comfortable when shifted to the flank after Giroud was substituted onto the pitch.

In the absence of Giroud against Basel, Wenger may opt to play new signing Lucas Perez as the frontman in order to utilise Sanchez in his best position.