PSG manager Luis Enrique hails Arsenal’s defensive structure ahead of Budapest final

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has issued a stark assessment of their Champions League final opponents, describing Arsenal as the best team in the world without the ball. Speaking at the club’s training ground on Wednesday, Enrique offered a rare public compliment to the newly crowned Premier League champions, acknowledging their tactical discipline and the merit of their recent domestic success.

The comments were made ten days before the final is scheduled to take place in Budapest. Enrique noted that Arsenal deserved their Premier League title following an "incredible season," highlighting their ability to avoid conceding goals while maintaining offensive threat. He characterised the upcoming clash as a contest between two sides with fundamentally different tactical setups, predicting a difficult final due to these contrasting approaches.

While the praise for Arsenal’s defensive organisation was clear, Enrique also addressed the status of his own squad as preparations intensify. He indicated an expectation that his full squad would be available for the match in Hungary, despite current injury concerns. The manager’s comments come as Paris Saint-Germain seeks to navigate the final stretch of their campaign with maximum personnel options.

Key players Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi are currently recovering from injuries, though their specific conditions were not detailed in the source material. Both players were absent from the training session that followed the press conference at the PSG Campus, confirming their current status as they work towards fitness for the Budapest encounter.

The Premier League remains a globally competitive industry within Britain, a context that underpins the strength of Arsenal’s recent performance. As the final approaches, the focus remains on how Paris Saint-Germain will adapt to the specific defensive rigidity that Enrique has identified as Arsenal’s primary strength.