By Martin Graham
Mikel Arteta and Luis Enrique have shared differing views on the significance of Arsenal’s 2-0 triumph over Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the campaign as the sides gear up for their Champions League semi-final clash.
The two teams previously crossed paths in the group stage on matchday two. Goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka gave the Gunners an early lead at the Emirates Stadium. That result triggered a dip in form for the French club, who went four matches without a win in the competition.
PSG eventually secured their place in the knockout rounds with crucial victories in the final three games, overcoming Red Bull Salzburg, Manchester City, and Stuttgart. Their domestic dominance continued, clinching the Ligue 1 title again, and they later progressed by eliminating Liverpool – despite needing penalties – and Aston Villa, who made a late push in the second leg after trailing heavily on aggregate.
Despite a recent drop in league form and the previous loss to Arsenal, Enrique remains upbeat. The former Barcelona coach pointed out that the earlier encounter took place months ago and believes his team has made progress since.
Enrique, who lifted the Champions League trophy with Barcelona in 2015, downplayed the relevance of the earlier meeting in London. “We faced them back in October, which is a long time ago. I’ve watched that match again and can say we’ve improved since then. We’re more well-rounded now,” he remarked.
He also dismissed the idea that Arsenal’s win means much now, referencing their recent knockout stage performances. “We got past Liverpool, and they finished first in the Premier League. That shows our quality, but in this tournament, every tie is unique.”
Touching on the narrative surrounding English football, he said, “People often label the Premier League as the top competition. Whether that’s true or not, we’re confident and excited to take part in the semi-finals.”
Enrique added that his squad is focused on making history. “Neither of these clubs has ever lifted the Champions League. Only one will reach the final, and I hope that team will be PSG.”
Arteta, on the other hand, sees Arsenal’s earlier success over PSG as a key moment in his squad’s growth. He believes these types of challenges have helped them develop belief and readiness for the final stages of Europe’s top tournament.
He cited the away match against Real Madrid as a turning point. “Going to the Bernabeu is one of the biggest challenges for any side in Europe. Matches like that, and the one against PSG, have added valuable experience for many of us,” he said.
Reflecting on the group stage win, the Arsenal manager explained, “At the time, they were among the top clubs on the continent. Beating them gave us the confidence to know we could compete at that level. It was great preparation for what lies ahead.”
Arteta emphasized the importance of mindset going into this stage of the competition. “At this point, the difference between the teams isn’t huge. What really matters is our mentality and belief. If we take the pitch with the conviction that we can win, we give ourselves the best chance.”
With Arsenal chasing their first Champions League final appearance since 2006 and PSG hoping to return to the stage they last reached in 2020, the first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday will set the tone ahead of next week’s return fixture at Parc des Princes.
