Luis Enrique believes Mikel Arteta has done a ‘great job’ at Arsenal and says his PSG team will face a ‘difficult game’ in the Champions League final.
The French champions joined Premier League leaders Arsenal in the final after overcoming Bayern Munich in the semis.
PSG beat Bayern 5-4 in a thrilling first leg before holding Vincent Kompany’s side to a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena.
Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele broke the deadlock inside five minutes to put PSG two goals ahead in the tie and as a result Harry Kane’s late strike was merely a consolation goal.
PSG beat Arsenal on route to winning the Champions League last season and Enrique expects another ‘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 used to be teammates when we were kids, he did a great job at Arsenal,’ Enrique said after leading PSG to another final
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‘It will be difficult, hard game but we believe in our football style.’
Discussing his team’s spirited performance in Munich, Enrique added: ‘Good memories. We could leave the match with a lot of intensity.
‘The defence were better than the attack. The character we showed against a team like Bayern is so positive. We’re so happy to reach a second Champions League final in a row.
‘It was very intense. Very difficult. They play football at the highest level. Both teams are similar, we love to press higher. We are very happy.
‘In two days I’m going to celebrate my birthday. I’m very happy. We’re in the next phase of the competition, the final of the Champions League. We want to give our supporters that kind of gift.’
PSG star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also discussed Champions League final opponents Arsenal, who will be the fifth Premier League team the French giants have faced this season.
‘We respect all of the teams,’ he said. ‘For us, it’s important to play our game.
‘We don’t really think about who is going to be our opponent, we just prepare our game and give everything on the pitch.
‘It will be difficult – it’s the Champions League final – and we just have to go and enjoy it.’
While PSG are bidding to retain their Champions League crown, the May 30 final in Budapest will be Arsenal’s first in 20 years.
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