Luis Enrique believes Mikel Arteta has done a ‘great job’ at Arsenal and says his PSG team will face a ‘difficult game’ within the Champions League final.
The French champions joined Premier League leaders Arsenal in the ultimate after overcoming Bayern Munich within the semis.
PSG beat Bayern 5-4 in an exhilarating first leg before holding Vincent Kompany’s side to a 1-1 draw on the Allianz Arena.
Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele broke the deadlock inside five minutes to place PSG two goals ahead within the tie and because of this Harry Kane’s late strike was merely a consolation goal.
PSG beat Arsenal on path to winning the Champions League last season and Enrique expects one other ‘hard game’ against the likely Premier League winners.
While PSG prevented Bayern from reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal eliminated La Liga side Atletico Madrid in a hard-fought semi-final tie.
‘I appreciate Mikelito Arteta! We was once teammates after we were kids, he did an important job at Arsenal,’ Enrique said after leading PSG to a different final
‘It can be difficult, hard game but we imagine in our football style.’
Discussing his team’s spirited performance in Munich, Enrique added: ‘Good memories. We could leave the match with a variety of intensity.
‘The defence were higher than the attack. The character we showed against a team like Bayern is so positive. We’re so joyful to achieve a second Champions League final in a row.
‘It was very intense. Very difficult. They play football at the very best level. Each teams are similar, we like to press higher. We’re very joyful.
‘In two days I’m going to have a good time my birthday. I’m very joyful. We’re in the following phase of the competition, the ultimate of the Champions League. We would like to offer our supporters that sort of gift.’
PSG star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also discussed Champions League final opponents Arsenal, who will likely be the fifth Premier League team the French giants have faced this season.
‘We respect all the teams,’ he said. ‘For us, it’s vital to play our game.
‘We don’t really take into consideration who’s going to be our opponent, we just prepare our game and provides all the pieces on the pitch.
‘It can be difficult – it’s the Champions League final – and we just must go and revel in it.’
While PSG are bidding to retain their Champions League crown, the May 30 final in Budapest will likely be Arsenal’s first in 20 years.
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