Luis Enrique thinks Paris Saint-Germain are ‘ahead’ of Arsenal in motivation to lift the Champions League because they are hungry to defend their title.
The defending champions go into Saturday’s final in Budapest full of confidence having beaten the north London club at the semi-final stage last season.
If they surpass the Gunners this time, the French side would become just the second club to successfully retain the Champions League in the modern era.
When asked about Arsenal seeking a first European Cup, Enrique replied: ‘Yes that’s powerful but you know how powerful trying to win the second one in a row is? It’s bigger. So we’re ahead.’
The Spaniard was also full of praise for Mikel Arteta.
‘No, I am not surprised especially with what he has done this year. They are absolutely worthy of winning the Premier League,’ he said.
Luis Enrique (left) has insisted PSG have more motivation than Arsenal to win the Champions League on Saturday
‘They were the best team and the most consistent. It was not always easy with (Manchester) City on their tails, but they deserve the title. Arteta has been there for six-and-a-half years so he knows the team and he knows them inside out.’
Ousmane Dembele said his team have been preparing for Arsenal’s set-piece threat and that he’s 100 per cent raring to go after his calf injury scare.
The Ballon d’Or winner suffered a calf strain on May 17 in a Ligue 1 match against Paris FC, which initially made him a doubt for the final. But now he’s ready.
‘No, I wasn’t scared about missing the final,’ said Dembele.
‘I stopped when I felt the niggle, and I had 10-15 days to get ready for the final. I am 100 per cent ready and raring to go.’
On the progress of Arsenal, he added: ‘Arsenal are an excellent team — we’ve seen them run away with the Premier League title but also what they showed us in the league phase. Their journey has been great, they deserve to be in the final.
‘They play great football, and are great across the board. Set-pieces, everyone knows that. They have got an exceptional coach.’
