Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has praised Arsenal as the best team in the world without the ball ahead of the Champions League final. The Ligue 1 champions will face the Premier League title winners in Budapest on May 30, with both sides aiming to claim European glory.
Enrique's Praise for Arsenal
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Enrique highlighted Arsenal's defensive discipline and work rate. "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," he said. The Spanish coach also acknowledged Arsenal's Premier League triumph, stating they deserved the title after a brilliant season.
Arteta's Influence
Enrique commended Mikel Arteta for instilling a winning mentality at Arsenal. "When you look at Arsenal's stats, you can see that Mikel Arteta is a leader as a manager. They have been improving for several seasons now; they love the ball, but they are the best team in Europe without it," he added. Arteta's first top-flight title puts him behind Enrique in silverware, but the PSG boss respects his compatriot's achievements.
PSG's Focus
Despite the praise, Enrique emphasized that PSG will focus on their own game. "The most important thing for us is to focus more on ourselves and less on the opposition. That is what we will continue to do," he said. PSG defeated Arsenal in last season's semi-finals before thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the final, and they enter this year's final as favorites.
Arteta's Previous Comments
Earlier this month, Arteta described the Bayern Munich-PSG semi-final as the best game he had ever witnessed regarding quality. However, he noted that the Premier League is a "different world" compared to other domestic leagues, highlighting the intensity and physical demands.
