UMVA has learned that Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique is bracing his team for a formidable challenge against Arsenal in the Champions League final on May 30 in Budapest.
The French team's manager has lavished praise on the Gunners, describing them as the best team in the world without possession of the ball, and a force to be reckoned with when they do have the ball.
Enrique's PSG side will be looking to defend their Champions League title against Arsenal, who have just been crowned Premier League champions, and the Spanish manager believes they have a tough skillset to compete with.
"I think they deserve to win the league — they have had a brilliant season," Enrique said at a press conference. "We have already played against this Arsenal side, so we know what they are capable of."
Enrique's PSG side edged out Arsenal in last season's Champions League semi-finals, winning 3-1 on aggregate before thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the final.
The PSG boss added: "Without the ball, they are the best team in the world, and with it they can score a lot. It is a wonderful combination for them. It makes sense that we are facing them in the final. We can look forward to a truly great final."
Enrique has won the Champions League with both PSG and Barcelona, and has a reputation for instilling a winning mentality in his teams.
He also praised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, saying: "When you look at Arsenal's stats, you can see that Mikel Arteta is a leader as a manager, who has instilled a winning mentality in the team."
Enrique believes that Arsenal's improvement over several seasons is a testament to Arteta's leadership, and that they have a competitive spirit that will make them a tough opponent in the final.
The PSG boss emphasized the importance of focusing on his own team's performance, rather than worrying about Arsenal's strengths and weaknesses.
"The most important thing for us is to focus more on ourselves and less on the opposition," Enrique said. "That is what we will continue to do. We are talking about the best club competition in Europe, so yes, there’s an element of adaptation — because the standard is very high."
