Mikel Arteta and Luis Enrique will be against each other in the Champions League final, but the Arsenal and PSG manager are already disagreeing
Mikel Arteta has disagreed with Luis Enrique’s claim there are no favourites in the Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. Arteta and Enrique both spoke to the press ahead of tomorrow’s battle in Budapest.
Many, including World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo, have tipped PSG as the favourites to lift the big-eared trophy in Hungary. With the Parisians seeing off Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the knockout rounds, while also winning the title so explosively last season, Arsenal have been handed the underdogs tag by some.
However, Enrique disagreed with the assertion, suggesting this is a perfectly, well-matched contest. Arteta contradicted his fellow countryman, suggesting the French heavyweights are the favourites by way of them being the defending champions.
Enrique, who spoke to the press first, when asked if the odds favour his side, said: ” I don’t think that there is a favourite to be honest.
“For us the devil is in the detail and I think it will be a very close call. We have to enjoy the 90 minutes, there is always a tension. It is about knowing how to manage that stress.”
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When asked if he agreed with many people’s view PSG are the favourites, Arteta bluntly replied: “ Well, they are defending the trophy. So they were the last ones that had the right to lift that trophy, and they are actually the champions, and we are here to take that away from them.”
Arteta’s comment may have been a gentle piece of psychological warfare against the two-time Champions League winner. Even if that was the case, Arteta still made his admiration for the former Barcelona manager clear for all to see.
The Gunners boss said: “Well, he’s always been a reference since he was a player, because he was a very special player.
“Then when he became a coach, and if you look at his journey, when he left Spain and he went abroad, and then he came back. In particular what he’s done with this PSG club and team, you can see his fingerprints all over it.
“The identity, the mentality, the way the players behave, the way they play. So, he’s been an inspiration, and tomorrow we’ll be clashing each other on that touchline.”
Arteta was also able to confirm he will have a close to fully fit squad to choose from in the French capital. He stated Jurrien Timber and Noni Madueke will both be able to face the holders at the Puskas Arena.
