PSG boss gives his thoughts on Arsenal & Arteta

“I appreciate Mikelito Arteta,” Enrique said (via The Mirror and Sky Sports). “We used to be team-mates when we were kids, he did a great job at Arsenal. It will be a difficult, hard game but we believe in our football style.

“Arsenal, one of the best teams this season. What they did throughout the season has been incredible. They are stilll playing for the Premier League and they are in the (Champions League) final. That’s something we need to appreciate.

“But I have so much confidence in my team and I think it’s important to value them.”

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Aided by a national league more than willing to move fixtures around to give PSG extra rest, the team have had a strong knockout-stage run. After narrowly eliminating Monaco 5-4 on aggregate, they eased past Chelsea 8-2 and Liverpool 4-0, before getting the better of Bayern 6-5.

Enrique’s team clearly don’t struggle to score goals, but they haven’t done so well at keeping them out. They’ve kept five clean sheets to Arsenal’s nine, and let in 22 goals to Arsenal’s six (two of which were conceded with backup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga between the sticks).

It’s going to be an intriguing battle of contrasting styles at the end of May, and Arsenal fans will certainly be looking forward to it.