Luis Enrique affirms PSG’s significant improvement ahead of Champions League clash with Arsenal

Paris Saint-Germain will present a tougher challenge for Arsenal when the two teams face off again in this season’s Champions League, according to French manager Luis Enrique, just ahead of their semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

Arsenal secured a convincing 2-0 win against PSG in a group stage match back in October, thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, while the French champions struggled to find their rhythm.

Since that defeat, PSG has gone on to clinch their fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title, reached the final of the French Cup, and eliminated both Premier League champions Liverpool and Aston Villa on their way to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

When asked about the earlier loss to Arsenal, Luis Enrique remarked on Monday: “That match was seven or eight months ago. I watched it again, and we are a significantly improved team today.

“We endured a very intense group stage with numerous matches that felt like finals. This presented challenges, but it has fortified us, making us a more complete squad.

“These semi-finals are crucial, yet they still consist of two matches between teams sharing the same aspirations. The primary factor will be how well we handle the pressure.”

Arsenal, having dominated holders Real Madrid with a 5-1 aggregate scoreline in the quarter-finals, remain unbeaten at home in the Champions League this season.

“They’re one of the top teams in Europe, and their coach has done an impressive job over the years,” mentioned Luis Enrique.

“We all deserve to be here. Personally, I prefer my team, which is why I’m here. Some people will favour PSG, while others will back Arsenal; that’s simply the nature of competition.”

Both Arsenal and PSG are striving to claim Europe’s prestigious club trophy for the first time.

“The goal is challenging, but that does not imply we are feeling any pressure. We are ambitious,” Luis Enrique continued.

“When we say we want to create history, we mean achieving what no one else has accomplished before us. The squad is brimming with confidence; we may not always be at our best, but that’s just part of the journey.

“PSG has never lifted the Champions League trophy? Neither has Arsenal. We mustn’t let that affect our ability to perform at the highest level; we need to keep that in mind while concentrating on our game plan.”