PSG have ´grown so much´, says Luis Enrique ahead of Arsenal showdown

Paris Saint-Germain have “grown so much” over the course of the campaign, so says Luis Enrique.

PSG host Arsenal on Wednesday in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie, leading 1-0 from the first leg.

While PSG lost Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer to Real Madrid last year, they cruised to the Ligue 1 title, going a club-record 30 games unbeaten, and have the chance to win a treble this term.

According to Opta’s supercomputer, PSG have an 80% chance of progressing to the Champions League final, while Luis Enrique’s team are also made the favourites to win the tournament, with a 42% probability of doing so.

PSG are the second-highest scoring team in Europe’s top five leagues across all competitions this term, with their 135 ranking behind only Barca’s 160, and Luis Enrique is thrilled with how his team have progressed.

“This season we’ve grown so much as a team,” he said.

“You have to be ready for any scenario and pay attention from start to finish. The target for the coming years is to keep improving the process.”

Ousmane Dembele netted the decisive goal at Emirates Stadium last week, and the in-form forward will be fit to feature at the Parc des Princes after shrugging off an injury.

“He has been training with the squad for two days so he is available for tomorrow,” Luis Enrique said.

Dembele has scored 33 goals in all competitions this season, with eight of those coming in the Champions League. Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic has netted more in a single campaign for PSG in the competition (10 in 2013-14).

Defender Achraf Hakimi, meanwhile, stressed that PSG must make home advantage count.

“The key is to show our personality with and without the ball and press high,” Hakimi said. “Arsenal will need to feel that the Parc des Princes is our home.”

PSG’s only Champions League final appearance ended in defeat by Bayern Munich in 2020, while Arsenal’s sole final was in 2006 when they lost to Barcelona in Paris.

“We will have to be as good as last week, but while many expect the same kind of game, I guarantee you it will be completely different,” said Luis Enrique.