Paris St-Germain head coach Luis Enrique believes Arsenal is the best team in Europe without the ball.
Enrique made the claim during his press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with the Gunners at the Emirates stadium.
The Spaniard also described Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as one of the best coaches on the market at the moment.
Enrique played a season alongside Arteta as a player at Barcelona and believes his opposite number has transformed the fortunes of Arsenal.
“He [Arteta] was a very young player, but he was in the first-team squad,” Enrique said (via BBC Sport).
“He has had a great start to his coaching career and it will be a great pleasure to chat to him tomorrow, even if it is just for five minutes before the start of the game.
“He is one of the best coaches on the market at the moment. He changed Arsenal’s fortunes from a somewhat winless streak to one of the best teams in the world that is competing for titles.
“I would go as far as to say they are the best team in Europe playing without the ball. He is a great coach and a great person.”
Enrique also confirmed Ousmane Dembele was axed from his squad for Tuesday’s game, hinting at a disagreement between the pair.
“If someone doesn’t comply or respect the expectations of the team, it means they are not prepared to play,” he said.
“The match tomorrow is very important and I want all my players to be ready, so as a consequence I have left him [Dembele] out.
“These circumstances are difficult and you have to take difficult decisions. But I am 100% engaged with my decision, and 100% sure of the decision I have made.
“It doesn’t mean this is irreversible, but I took the best decision for the team and that is why I signed here, to create a team that has a strong identity and has a lot of character.
“I was also hired to win titles. I cannot guarantee that. But I can guarantee the rest, which is playing with a strong identity. The day I cannot do this I will go home.
“I have the support of the club’s president and the sporting director.”
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