Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has to beat one of his inspirations, Paris Saint-Germain, in the Champions League semi-finals. By hosting PSG in the opening leg on Tuesday, Arteta wants to guide Arsenal to their second Champions League final appearance in history.
Along with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, he encounters resistance from a close friend who also assisted his colleague in moving from the field to the dugout. Luis Enrique was a senior star when Arteta began playing for Barcelona, which influenced his management style at Arsenal. When Arsenal beat PSG 2-0 at the Emirates in October, the pupil overcame his master once this season.
PSG has improved significantly since Luis Enrique decided to bench Ousmane Dembele against Arsenal for disciplinary concerns, mostly because of the forward’s outstanding form. Mikel Arteta runs unforgiving risks.
“I value his candour. He will share his view via his eyes. Eventually, players value “Arteta’s commentary.
“Unbelievable personality, character, and energy. From him, I picked a lot of knowledge.
He had a major impact on me and I rank him as among the best coaches in the world. I respect his attitude and diligence. Luis Enrique concurs: “He coaches really well.
“He turned Arsenal´s fortunes from a somewhat winless streak to one of the best teams in the world vying for titles.”
After the game, Mikel Arteta and Luis Enrique will have a private moment; but, they will put their friendship on wait to secure the Champions League. Arsenal has never won the tournament; they lost to Barcelona in 2006 and PSG has had a dismal record, losing to Bayern Munich in their one last.
The European holy grail would eradicate any questions about Arteta’s trophy-winning ability and immortalise him in north London. Arsenal hasn’t taken home a trophy since Arteta’s FA Cup victory five years ago.
Having defeated Real Madrid 5-1 in the quarterfinals, Arsenal arrives to the PSG game confident. They have faltered in the Premier League, relinquishing the championship to Liverpool after a run of draws.
In Arteta’s defence, injuries have dogged Arsenal this season; Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are still out. Should PSG beat Arsenal, they will have a hat-trick of English victories after defeating Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Arsenal’s first Champions League semi-final since losing to Manchester United in 2009 could have to replicate the frenetic atmosphere that engulfed Madrid in the last eight.
