PSG manager Luis Enrique questions Premier League's status ahead of semi-final clash

The French champions have enjoyed notable success against English opposition en route to the final four, having eliminated both Aston Villa and recently crowned Premier League champions Liverpool. However, when asked whether these results offer a competitive advantage against Arsenal, Enrique remained cautious.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps that is a question better directed to Mr. Arteta," he remarked. "In terms of confidence, it is obviously a positive for us. We beat Liverpool, and Liverpool have just won the Premier League. But that alone does not determine the outcome of another match-every game has its own context."

Enrique went on to address the broader debate surrounding the strength of the Premier League, challenging its commonly held status as the pinnacle of club football.

"Everyone talks about the Premier League as if it is the best league in the world. I'm not certain I agree with that assessment," he stated. "What I can say is that we approach this match with full confidence and great anticipation."

The Champions League semi-finals this year present a diverse representation of Europe's elite, with each of the final four clubs hailing from a different country: Arsenal (England), PSG (France), Barcelona (Spain), and Inter Milan (Italy). This diversity reflects the evolving balance of power in European football.

While Premier League clubs secured one of the two additional qualification places in next season's expanded Champions League format - awarded based on UEFA coefficient rankings for performances across European competitions - La Liga earned the second. In contrast, Bundesliga and Serie A clubs led UEFA's performance metrics in the previous campaign.

Enrique's remarks come at a time when the global hierarchy of club football is under increasing scrutiny, with results in continental competition continuing to challenge the notion of any single league's supremacy.