Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has acknowledged the significant challenge ahead as his team prepares to face Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals, describing the Gunners as “one of the best teams in Europe.”
Arsenal earned their place in the final four with an impressive 5-1 aggregate victory over defending champions Real Madrid, including a commanding 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabéu. This performance has clearly caught the attention of the Spanish tactician, who recognizes the evolution of Mikel Arteta’s side.
“We know who was eliminated by Arsenal,” Luis Enrique noted. “It’s a team that has had a very good evolution with Mikel Arteta over the last few seasons and they’re performing very, very well.”
PSG advanced to the semi-finals after overcoming Aston Villa, though they faced a nervous second leg when Villa briefly threatened a comeback. Despite this scare, Luis Enrique remains positive about his team’s prospects while dismissing suggestions that PSG are now favorites for the trophy.
“It wouldn’t be fair to think that we’re always going to crush our opponents and that we’re the only team in the Champions League and we are the favourites,” he insisted. “I think it’s also important for us to be the only team that was in the last four last year and this year we are there again.”
The semi-final matchup presents an intriguing tactical battle between two coaches with Barcelona connections. Arteta, who learned under Pep Guardiola, will pit his methodical approach against Luis Enrique’s more fluid attacking style.
PSG have already secured their fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title with six games to spare, allowing them to focus primarily on their European campaign. The French champions previously faced Arsenal during the Champions League league phase, losing 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in October.
The first leg of the semi-final will take place in Paris on April 30, with the return fixture in London on May 7, as both clubs chase their first Champions League trophy.
