Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is set for a captivating Champions League semi-final showdown against Paris Saint-Germain, a tie that pits him against one of the most influential figures in his footballing journey: PSG boss Luis Enrique. The Gunners host the first leg on Tuesday, with Arteta aiming to steer Arsenal to only their second ever Champions League final appearance.
Standing in Arteta’s way is a close friend and compatriot who, alongside Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, played a pivotal role in his impressive transition from player to manager. Luis Enrique was a senior figure at Barcelona when a young Arteta began his playing career at the Camp Nou, a period that profoundly shaped his managerial philosophy now evident at Arsenal.
“He was extremely supportive with the young players, he was one of the main characters by far. I have really good memories of him,” Arteta fondly recalled. “What I love about him is wherever he’s been, as a player or a manager, his fingerprints are all over the place. You can sense it’s his team with the way his players behave, the way they want to attack and dominate games.”
Intriguingly, Arteta has already bested his mentor once this season, with Arsenal securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over PSG in the Champions League league phase at the Emirates in October. However, PSG have undergone a significant transformation since then, largely attributed to Luis Enrique’s tactical decisions, including the disciplinary dropping of Ousmane Dembele against Arsenal, which ironically sparked the French forward’s sensational run of form. This bold move mirrors the kind of decisive gambles Arteta himself has shown a willingness to take.
“I admire his honesty. He will look in your eyes and tell you what he thinks. In the end, players appreciate that,” Arteta praised. “An unbelievable personality, huge character, huge energy. I learnt a lot of things from him. For me he’s one of the best coaches in the world and someone who helped me a huge amount. I have the utmost respect both for how he is as a person and his way of working.”
The respect is clearly mutual, with Luis Enrique acknowledging Arteta’s managerial prowess. “He is one of the best coaches at the moment,” the PSG boss stated. “He changed Arsenal’s fortunes from a somewhat winless streak to one of the best teams in the world that is competing for titles.”
While a private reunion between the two Spaniards is likely, their friendship will be temporarily set aside as they focus on achieving Champions League glory for their respective clubs. Arsenal have never lifted the coveted trophy, their sole final appearance ending in defeat to Barcelona in 2006. PSG’s history in the competition is also fraught with near misses, falling to Bayern Munich in their only final in 2020.
Conquering Europe would elevate Arteta to legendary status in north London, silencing any lingering doubts about his ability to secure major silverware, particularly after a five-year trophy drought since his FA Cup triumph. Arsenal enter this semi-final clash brimming with confidence following their emphatic 5-1 aggregate dismantling of reigning champions Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. However, their Premier League form has faltered, effectively handing the title to Liverpool after a series of disappointing draws. Injuries to key players like Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have undoubtedly hampered Arsenal’s domestic consistency.
PSG, having already eliminated English sides Liverpool and Aston Villa, will be aiming for a remarkable hat-trick of Premier League scalps by overcoming Arsenal. In their first Champions League semi-final since 2009, Arsenal’s key to success may lie in replicating the electrifying atmosphere that swept away Real Madrid in the previous round.
“With the home crowd behind us, there needs to be an electric atmosphere, and they will push us forward,” Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard emphasized. Trossard is likely to lead the attack against PSG, with Mikel Merino expected to fill the midfield void left by the suspended Thomas Partey. “We want the same as last time. The fans were incredible in the home game against Madrid. If we can do that again it would be amazing,” Trossard concluded, setting the stage for a tantalizing encounter between mentor and prot�g� with Europe’s elite prize within touching distance.
