Enrique says Arsenal are ‘one of the best sides in Europe’ ahead of their Champions League semi-final | OneFootball

Paris Saint Germain boss Luis Enrique has praised Mikel Arteta and believes Arsenal are “one of the best sides in Europe” ahead of their Champions League semi-final showdown.

Arsenal ran out 5-1 winners on aggregate against holders Real Madrid in their quarter-final and are looking to make their first Champions League final since 2006, when they lost 2-1 to Enrique’s former side, Barcelona.

Arsenal beat PSG 2-0 in the league stage of the competition with goals from Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz sealing the win at the Emirates.

Since then Enrique’s side have hit top form, thrashing French rivals Brest 10-0 over two legs before beating two English sides in a row. They defeated Premier League champions-elect Liverpool on penalties before edging past Aston Villa, surviving a late onslaught at Villa Park.

Enrique was asked about facing three English teams in a row in the competition, following previous rounds against Aston Villa and Liverpool,, with the first leg at Emirates Stadium scheduled for the end of this month.

“No, well, it is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage,” he explained.

“It is obvious that there is a pattern that can be common among English teams.

“But in this case, we have faced Liverpool and Arsenal already, it has been seven or eight months, also Aston Villa, and now it is Arsenal once again.”

Enrique added: “We know who was eliminated by Arsenal, we are in the last four, so against one of the best teams in Europe.

“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.”

Despite losing 3-2 at Villa Park, PSG held their nerve to advance to their third Champions League semi final in the last five seasons.

However, Luis Enrique has played down PSG’s tag as favourites to win Europe’s elite competition.

“I liked the attitude of my players, their behaviour, it’s true we made some mistakes but it’s a game where you make mistakes sometimes,” Enrique reflected.

“There are things to improve without a doubt but most of what I saw and what I analysed was positive.

“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.”

“No one at PSG believes it either, not the players, not the coach, we are one of four favourites to win this cup because we have done well throughout the season.

“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.”

PSG have already wrapped up the Ligue 1 title and now, like Arsenal, the focus is purely on the Champions League.

“I have been one of the most criticised coaches in Europe due to my selections. I have made a lot of changes, I was fully criticised in Rome, Paris, Barcelona, so everyone usually tells me I am replacing too many players.

“Now I am reducing this and I am still criticised because, ‘I do not trust my players’.

“So a good question but it is a bit difficult, if I may. A lot of players have the ability to play as main players, and they can be very competitive in any competition, in any match.

“I was a bit doubtful so I decided not to replace my players because I was not 100 per cent sure, but I will always trust all of my players.”