PSG and Bayern in 'different world' to Premier League teams - Arteta

TL;DR

Mikel Arteta claims PSG and Bayern Munich operate in 'different worlds' compared to Premier League teams, citing player freshness as a key factor. He believes the quality of competition in domestic leagues impacts player performance in the Champions League.

Key points

Mikel Arteta comments on PSG and Bayern's competition level
Arteta highlights player freshness as a key factor
PSG defeated Bayern Munich 5-4 in the Champions League semi-finals
Arsenal drew 1-1 against Atletico Madrid
Arteta notes differences in domestic league competition

Paris St-GermainBayern MunichArsenalChampions League

Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich are competing in "different worlds" to Premier League teams, says Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

And the Spaniard believes the difference in attacking quality on show in the first two legs of the Champions League semi-finals is down to the 'freshness' of the players.

Ligue 1's leading side PSG edged out the German champions 5-4 in a thrilling tie at the Parc des Princes in Paris, while the Gunners ground out a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid.

Arteta says PSG and Bayern's star players were able to be fresher than the Gunners' tired attacking talent, which he believes is down to differing levels of competition they experience in their domestic leagues.

"To deliver that much quality you have to be very fresh, and the difference in the leagues and the way they are competing is night and day," said the Arsenal boss.

"You just have to see a lot of stats around it. We are comparing two different worlds."

Collectively, Arsenal's starting XI in their Champions League semi-final first leg have played 32,508 minutes this season - more than any of their rivals left in the competition.

Atletico's starting XI have played 31,701, compared with Bayern's 31,522 and PSG's 29,968.

The Gunners' David Raya (4,140), Martin Zubimendi (4,096), Declan Rice (4,002) and William Saliba (3,774) were all in the top five, in terms of minutes played this season, out of the four starting line-ups.

While Rice, for example, has played 359 more minutes this season than England team-mate Harry Kane - almost equal to four whole matches.

"The quality of the two teams [PSG and Bayern], and especially the individual quality of players, I have never seen something like this," added Arteta.

"But when I look at the amount of minutes and the freshness of those players, I'm not surprised.

"How many players were available [for PSG and Bayern]? All of them, at their very best. That's the most important thing."