Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has lavished praise on Arsenal, calling them the 'best team in Europe' and stating they fully deserved to win the Premier League title, as the two sides prepare to clash in the Champions League final.
Champions League Showdown in Budapest
The Gunners and the French champions will meet in Budapest next Saturday, with PSG aiming to secure back-to-back European crowns while Arsenal seek their first Champions League trophy. The match caps a remarkable season for Arsenal, who were crowned Premier League champions earlier this week.
Enrique shared his thoughts on the Gunners and was full of admiration for their form and the work of Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium.
Enrique's Verdict on Arteta and Arsenal
"If you look at Arteta's stats, there you have it. He's a leading manager who, since taking over at Arsenal, has changed the team's mentality and what it means to be a team that hadn't won in a long time," Luis Enrique said.
"Now they're competitive again. For the last four seasons, they've been improving. That's the image of what Arteta is all about. Good with the ball. He doesn't give it away. We haven't won the possession battle every time we've faced them."
"Without the ball, they're the best team in Europe in terms of goals created and received. And he's won the Premier League, which is a very high-level competition."
"Last year, they weren't in the Champions League [final] because we were lucky enough to beat them. He's a top-level manager. He's been to some very good places, learning from Pep [Guardiola] at [Manchester] City. What he conveys is pretty much what we see from his players."
Premier League Title Deserved
"I think they deserve to win the league; they've had a brilliant season," Enrique added about Arsenal's Premier League triumph. "We've already played against this Arsenal side, so we know what they're capable of."
"They're one of the best teams when they don't have the ball, and when they do, they score plenty of goals. It makes sense that we're facing them in the final. We can look forward to a truly great final."
Both teams have secured domestic titles recently. PSG clinched their 14th Ligue 1 crown a week ago by beating Lens 2-0. Before the Champions League final, Arsenal have one more Premier League match: against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the final day of the season, after which they will lift the trophy for the first time in 22 years.
