PSG boss claims team now “better” than when they lost to Arsenal | OneFootball

Luis Enrique claims Paris Saint-Germain are a better team now than when they lost to Arsenal in October, and his team want to make history this season.

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

To a casual observer, Arsenal might appear to be strong favourites in their Champions League semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain.

After all, the Gunners have just knocked out reigning champions Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate, and Mikel Arteta’s side already beat PSG 2-0 in the League Phase of the competition.

Yet PSG boss Luis Enrique points out that was a long time ago, and they’re a different team now.

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

“We played on October 1st, seven or eight months ago,” Enrique highlighted. “There are big differences. I rewatched that game and looked at how far we’ve come. We’re a better team now and we’ve shown it throughout the competition.

“The tough group stage hurt us at first, but over time, it helped us improve.”

The PSG manager wants his team to make history now, mirroring Arsenal’s desire to win the Champions League for the first time.

“When we say we want to make history, we’re talking about doing something that nobody has done before us,” Enrique continued. “The team has a lot of confidence, and sometimes we’re less brilliant, but that’s part of life.

“PSG have never won the Champions League? Neither have Arsenal. We mustn’t let that stop us from performing at the highest level, we have to keep that in mind but concentrate on what we have to do.”

Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images for Qatar Airways

It’s true that there are quite a few differences between the PSG side Arsenal previously faced and the one that will turn up to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

For a start, PSG have a full squad this time, after Ousmane Dembele, Presnel Kimpembe, Goncalo Ramos, and Lucas Hernandez all missed the League Phase match. Add to that January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is also available on Tuesday.

Since losing to Arsenal, PSG have bounced back by beating Manchester City and eliminating Liverpool and Aston Villa from the competition. They’ve also won Ligue 1, won the French Super Cup, and reached the final of the Coupe de France.

This is a team in form, and Arsenal will have to be at their best to defeat them.