Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has described Arsenal as the world’s top side in a key tactical department, as the two European powerhouses prepare for their Champions League final clash. The match, set to take place in Budapest on May 30, will determine who claims the ultimate glory in European football.

Enrique lavishes praise on the Gunners

As he gears up for the Champions League final, Enrique has pinpointed Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal as the best team globally when it comes to playing "without the ball." The Gunners, recently crowned Premier League champions, are eager to take revenge on PSG after losing to them in last season’s semi-finals.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Enrique expressed admiration for his fellow Spaniard’s achievements in North London. “I think they fully deserved to win the league – they have had a fantastic season,” said Enrique. “We’ve already faced this Arsenal side, so we know how strong they are. Without possession, they are the best team in the world, and when they have the ball, they can score plenty. It’s a perfect combination for them.”

A tactical showdown in Budapest

The final will be a rematch of last year’s semi-final, which PSG won 3-1 on aggregate before crushing Inter 5-0 in the final. Despite holding the upper hand from past encounters, Enrique remains cautious, acknowledging the remarkable progress Arsenal have made under Arteta.

“It’s only fitting that we meet them again in the final,” the former Barcelona boss remarked. “We can expect a truly spectacular contest. When you see Arsenal’s statistics, it’s clear that Mikel Arteta is an exceptional manager who has built a winning mentality within the team. They’ve been improving steadily for several seasons now; they dominate possession, yet they’re also the best team in Europe when they don’t have the ball.”

Arteta’s growing reputation in Europe

While Enrique boasts Champions League victories with both Barcelona and PSG, along with two La Liga and three Ligue 1 titles, this season marks Arteta’s first top-flight league title. Enrique believes that the trophies are now reflecting the outstanding coaching that has been evident at the Emirates Stadium for some time.

“They’ve won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final this year after making the semi-finals last season,” Enrique observed. “They fully deserve their place there, and Arteta brings a strong competitive mindset to his squad. For us, the key is to keep concentrating on our own game rather than the opposition. That’s our approach. This is Europe’s premier club competition, and naturally, it demands adaptation because the standards are incredibly high.”

Bridging the gap between major leagues

Earlier this month, Arteta offered his own thoughts on the European elite, particularly commending the quality displayed in PSG’s semi-final against Bayern Munich. The Arsenal manager highlighted that the contrasting demands of domestic leagues often influence how teams perform in continental competitions, calling them “different worlds.”

“Bayern versus PSG was probably the best match I’ve ever seen in terms of team quality and, more importantly, the individual brilliance of the players,” Arteta commented. “I’ve never witnessed anything like it. But when you consider the players’ workloads and freshness, it’s understandable. To produce that level of performance, you have to be physically fresh. The differences between leagues and how they compete are huge – it’s like comparing day and night. The statistics show that clearly. We’re competing in two very different worlds, so any comparison needs proper context. Otherwise, it’s not fair.”