Luis Enrique just let one ‘difficult’ PSG secret slip, it’s a major advantage for Arsenal

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Arsenal are 180 minutes away from the Champions League final, but a hard task awaits the Gunners.

After Arsenal beat Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate, Mikel Arteta’s side will approach the Champions League semi-final with confidence. 

Arguably, an even greater challenge is ahead, as in-form Paris Saint-Germain will aim to knock another English club out of the tournament.

PSG knocked out Liverpool and then Aston Villa to reach the final four, but Luis Enrique has just let one possible weakness slip. 

• READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand predicts whether Arsenal will beat PSG in the Champions League and reach the final

Luis Enrique touches on away challenge for PSG

Enrique called Arsenal superior to PSG the last time the two sides met, which was interestingly during this season’s edition of the competition. 

In the league phase, Arsenal beat PSG 2-0 at the Emirates, a result Arteta’s squad will be eager to replicate in N5 in the first leg of the semi-final. 

Playing the second leg away from home is thought of as drawing the short straw, but for Arsenal, things have worked pretty well so far.

The Gunners beat Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates to take a three-goal lead to the Bernabeu, with extra incentive to make their first-leg home advantage count. 

Speaking after PSG’s draw against Nantes in Ligue 1, manager Enrique admitted that sometimes, his side finds it ‘difficult’ to play away from home in a heated atmosphere.

“It’s always difficult to play away from home, especially in a stadium like here in Nantes, with a great atmosphere,” Enrique said in his post-match press conference.

The PSG boss went on to note the ‘mistakes’ his side made during the draw that allowed Nantes to take advantage of the Parisiens.

“We’re happy, but at the same time, we made a few mistakes and Nantes took advantage to score their goal. In the end, it’s a draw, and we have to keep going.”

Arsenal’s record at home in the Champions League since 2023

Arsenal have been warned about PSG’s threat, but that won’t bother Arteta’s side, who, after beating the holders 5-1 on aggregate, will feel as though they can beat anyone. 

The Gunners’ first leg performance at the Emirates set the tone for the tie, and the same must happen when PSG visit, not only due to Enrique’s latest admission.

Arteta has a remarkable record in the Champions League as Arsenal manager to maintain, as the Spaniard has never seen his side lose in the competition at the Emirates. 

Since Arsenal’s return to the tournament in 2023, the Gunners have played 11 times at home, winning nine and drawing twice.

Just as the North Londoners did to Madrid, Arsenal will be desperate to take a lead to the Parc des Princes, with the Champions League final in touching distance.