Luis Enrique’s PSG do battle with Arsenal at the Emirates (Picture: Getty)
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has hailed Arsenal as ‘one of the best teams in Europe’ ahead of the sides’ Champions League meeting on Tuesday night.
Arsenal secured their spot in Europe’s premier competition with a second-placed finish in the Premier League last term, with Manchester City beating them to the English title for a second year in succession.
Mikel Arteta will have been eager for a statement performance as Arsenal kicked off their group-stage campaign against Atalanta earlier this month but the north London outfit were held to a goalless draw in Bergamo.
David Raya was Arsenal’s hero that day, keeping the scoreline goalless with a remarkable double save from a penalty in what was a tense affair at the Gewiss Stadium.
Next up for the Gunners is an intriguing clash with Ligue 1 giants PSG, who suffered a painful defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund at the semi-final stage last term.
Previewing Tuesday’s contest at his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Enrique had nothing but praise for Arsenal and the job Arteta had done since taking over the reins at the Emirates.
‘I think they are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment,’ the Spaniard told reporters.
Arteta’s side were held to a goalless draw by Atalanta last time out in the Champions League (Picture: Getty)
‘With the ball they are a team very close to the top European level and without the ball they are also very good.
‘I would even say that they are one of the best teams in the world without the ball.
‘They are a team with a real identity. We are similar but also have different styles of play.’
The Gunners are among the best teams in Europe, says Enrique (Picture: Getty)
Enrique and Arteta were team-mates for a short period at Barcelona and the PSG boss is looking forward to catching up his fellow countryman in north London.
‘We were team-mates for a season at Barcelona even though he was young at the time. I have good memories of him as a team-mate,’ Enrique added.
‘He had a great career as a player, he had a very successful end to his career.
PSG left it late to beat Girona in their previous Champions League match (Picture: Getty)
‘We haven’t faced off against each other since we’ve both been coaching.
‘Even if it’s only five minutes before the game, I’d like to talk to him and it will be a pleasure to be able to greet him on Tuesday.
‘He’s one of the best coaches on the market right now and he’s helped Arsenal become a club that wins titles again. He’s a great coach and a great person.’
PSG have dropped Dembele for the group-stage contest (Picture: Getty)
Ousmane Dembele has been axed by Enrique for PSG’s encounter with Arsenal, a decision that caught Arteta by surprise as he faced the media earlier today.
Widespread reports in France claimed Enrique and Dembele were …read more
Source:: Metro
