PSG boss Luis Enrique responds to Mikel Arteta’s UCL proclamation: “He should relax”

PSG head coach Luis Enrique dropped a cheeky response to his Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta ahead of the Champions League final on Saturday.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference, Luis Enrique advised Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to calm down as both sides take on each other in the Champions League final. He said: “He’s a top coach, but since he’s so young, I would tell him to relax, not to rush things, to let me win. I’m like an old codger, and he’ll have years to win, so nothing should be taken lightly.“

This response from the two-time Champions League-winning coach comes after his Spanish counterpart sent a message to his players and PSG earlier in the week, when he said, “This Saturday, we will be European champions.“

Enrique and Arteta were teammates in Barcelona when they were players, however, they are gearing up for a hotly contested match against each other as PSG search for their second successive UCL triumph, while The Gunners head out for their maiden one.

The Arsenal manager’s words turned out to be a topic of criticism on social media as he was seen being arrogant and going beyond motivating his own players. The interview came when the North Londoners had just won their first Premier League title in 22 years, and it could be the result of a celebratory mood after the league win.

Enrique took a more light-hearted approach to deal with his fellow Spaniard, as he focused more on his players while lifting the overall confidence of PSG fans.