PSG boss Luis Enrique makes surprising Arsenal claim and gives strong 13-word declaration

Luis Enrique claims haven't been analysing ahead of their mammoth semi-final clash - despite the tie being just days away. The Gunners are three games from immortality, but standing in their way is a huge roadblock: the runaway French champions who, like them, are desperate for European glory.

That said, PSG's recent form is hardly fearsome. They're winless in their last two Ligue 1 outings and suffered their first league defeat of the season on Friday, falling 3-1 at home to Nice.

Arsenal, for their part, haven't exactly been flying either, drawing three of their last four games - including a against at the Emirates on Wednesday. Yet, when asked if he and his staff had studied Arsenal's recent games in preparation for Tuesday's showdown, Enrique shrugged it off.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

"No [we didn't analyse the match], because I already know Arsenal perfectly well," he told reporters. "I've known it for a long time. It's a team I've followed."

The Spaniard, who guided PSG to the Champions League semi-finals last season, was bullish about his side's evolution, insisting they had "grown significantly" over the past year. He also promised Arsenal would face a PSG side brimming with confidence and momentum.

"I am sure we will see a great version of PSG against Arsenal," Enrique declared. "There is very significant growth in the team. The team was very young; now we arrive with more confidence... we are very motivated."

He added: "We are experiencing quite a strange end to the season, but there are important things to accomplish. We are reaching a great moment of the season because we have this obsession with the Champions League."

PSG wrapped up the Ligue 1 title at the start of April, and although their unbeaten streak has now ended, there's still plenty at stake. Not only are they within touching distance of Champions League glory, they could end the season with a historic Treble - a feat no French club has ever achieved, and one only eight European clubs can claim.

Despite their enormous wealth and investment over the past decade or so, PSG have only reached the Champions League final once, losing to in 2020. Arsenal are in the same boat, having fallen short against in their sole Champions League final appearance back in 2006.

Heading into Tuesday's tie, side will take heart from their record against PSG: unbeaten in five meetings, with two wins and three draws. They also claimed a over the Parisians in the group phase back in October, with and grabbing the goals.

Still, Arsenal will know better than to underestimate PSG's quality, particularly after their ruthless dismantling of over two legs in the round of 16 - even if it took penalties to finally get over the line.

With the Premier League title race effectively over, Arsenal's full focus now shifts to their Champions League pursuit. But standing in their way is perhaps their toughest challenge yet.

Two giants, two dreams, but only one path to the final - and with history calling from both ends, Tuesday night promises to be nothing short of epic.