Arsene Wenger will be hoping that Mikel Arteta replicates his Arsenal side from 2006 and reaches the Champions League by toppling Paris Saint-Germain over the upcoming two-legged semi-final.
However, Arsenal will have a tall task ahead of them as Luis Enrique’s side lost only their first game in Ligue 1 this campaign against Nice on Saturday — which goes to show the tremendous season they are having.
David Raya has noticed PSG’s improvement as a side from the last time the two sides met each other in October when the Gunners won 2-0, emphasising how well they press as a unit nowadays.
Raya claimed PSG are a “different team” now and paid respect to his opponents by pointing out how they have not had “easy games either.”
Arsene Wenger was present at PSG’s latest 3-1 defeat against Nice and he has now previewed their clash against his former side Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.
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Arsene Wenger says Arsenal’s defence gives them an advantage vs PSG
Wenger believes that Arsenal have the “potential” to turn PSG over ahead of the blockbuster Champions League clash.
While Arsene Wenger did not predict the result unlike Paul Merson, who backed Arsenal to beat PSG, he did state that the advantage the North Londoners have over the Parisians is their rock-solid defence.
The Frenchman told Sky Sports: “Arsenal has the potential to do it but of course, once you go to the semi-finals, Paris Saint-Germain is a very good team as well so everybody is excited about it and let’s see at home.”
“Of course, the teams who go through to the semi-finals have some quality and then it’s down to the form on the day and the main players who can show their efficiency on the day as well, a little bit fending off or stupid reactions at some stage. So, overall, I believe Arsenal’s very solid defensively and over two legs, I think is a big influence.”
What PSG boss Luis Enrique said about Arsenal’s defence in Champions League clash
Several Arsenal fans will side with Arsene Wenger as Mikel Arteta has built one of the best defences in Europe and they could frustrate this PSG side.
Luis Enrique is cognizant of how the Gunners defend as a unit, as he explained why both teams are actually quite similar.
Enrique said via BeanymanSports: “I think that Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal are actually very similar teams.”
“Arsenal is made up of very comprehensive players, we can see that they’re strong as a squad, they’re able to attack, they’re able to defend and everyone gets stuck in together.”
Mikel Arteta will be hoping that his big-hitters step up against the Ligue 1 champions as they did against Real Madrid as in the Champions League, individual quality is paramount.
However, PSG have their fair share of difference-makers like Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to name a few who could determine the outcome of the contest singlehandedly.
