Luis Enrique, head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, expressed that Arsenal rightfully earned their Premier League title and is prepared to take on the ‘best team in the world without the ball’ in the upcoming Champions League final.
The London side celebrated the end of their 22-year title drought Tuesday evening after Manchester City settled for a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth.
Amidst the celebrations, Mikel Arteta’s squad gathered at the Emirates Stadium, where players like Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Jurriën Timber were spotted enjoying the festivities outside with thousands of jubilant Arsenal fans.
Now, Arsenal will regroup for their final Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Sunday, where they will receive the trophy, before shifting their focus to the Champions League final in Budapest on May 30.
Luis Enrique is well aware of the challenges Arsenal will present but believes his team can rise to the occasion as PSG aims to defend their Champions League title.
“They deserve to win the league; they have had an outstanding season,” he remarked during a press conference.
“We faced this Arsenal team in the semi-finals last season and understand their capabilities. They are the best team in the world without the ball and possess the ability to score significantly with it. This combination makes them formidable.”
“It makes sense for us to face them in the final, and I anticipate a truly spectacular matchup.”
After consistently finishing second in the Premier League for three seasons, Luis Enrique attributes Arsenal’s success to Arteta’s unwavering leadership.
“Analyzing Arsenal’s statistics showcases Mikel Arteta as a decisive manager who has cultivated a winning mentality within the squad,” he stated.
“They have been on an upward trajectory for several seasons; they thrive with the ball but excel even more without it. Winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final illustrates their deserving position, and Arteta instills a competitive spirit in his players.”
PSG overcame Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, advancing with a 6-5 aggregate scoreline following a thrilling first leg that featured nine goals.
Luis Enrique emphasizes the importance of his squad maintaining focus on their performance against Arsenal.
“Our priority is to concentrate on our game rather than our opponents. That approach will guide us moving forward,” he said.
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“We are participating in the premier club competition in Europe, and there is an inevitable need to adapt due to the high standards involved. Bayern, for instance, is a team that favors possession, prompting us to adjust our strategy. Nonetheless, we have elevated our game as well and are proud to be in the final once more.”
PSG continues to monitor forward Ousmane Dembélé, who is managing a calf issue, while Achraf Hakimi aims to return to training following a thigh injury.