'Not going to give clues to Arteta' - PSG boss defiant ahead of Arsenal clash after invincible bid destroyed

PSG were rocked on Friday night when they saw their unbeaten Ligue 1 record destroyed by Nice Luis Enrique’s men were just eight games away from managing an invincible season, but they were beaten 3-1 at home by OGC Nice on Friday night at Parc des Princes, just days before their huge Champions League semi-final with Arsenal.

Arsenal welcome the Parisiens to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night for the first leg of the semi-final, and it is set up to be a hugely fascinating tie. PSG are arguably favourites given their form across this season, especially combined with the injuries Arsenal have, missing a fit striker and Gabriel Magalhaes.

But PSG’s slip-up in the league and potential dip in form has come at the perfect time, perhaps giving Arsenal some extra confidence heading into this one. Speaking after the game, Luis Enrique told L’Equipe: “First of all, I would like to congratulate Nice. They were 100% efficient, they came close to our goal once in the first half, and they scored. Then, they had two chances, and they scored again... They had a very high level of efficiency. I don't think the result was deserved. We played a full match. At halftime, we deserved a better result than a draw, and on their first chance of the second half, we conceded this goal... It's surprising but it's possible. Our goal was to continue breaking records and that one won't be possible (the unbeaten record) . But that doesn't change our goal of reaching the Champions League final.”

Asked about whether he was concerned with his side’s form ahead of Tuesday, the Spanish boss added: “Based on what I saw, I'm signing up straight away for Tuesday in London and the return leg. Not for the result, obviously, but I saw a team that had 30 chances to score. I'm not worried at all. We attacked, didn't calculate, and we came up against a goalkeeper (Marcin Bulka) who made some incredible saves. We are the best team in France, by far, we proved it. We have to be brave now and think about winning the Champions League.

“Right now, the players are clearly affected. We deserved to win, no doubt about it. But if the opponent is 100% efficient and you're not as efficient as usual, things turn around. It's as simple as that.”

Luis Enrique was also asked whether his starting XI against Nice provides any clues for the team he will go with in North London. He responded: “Draw whatever conclusions you want from that. I'm not going to give any clues to Arteta.”

Arsenal have an extra advantage ahead of Tuesday night’s game, having last played on Wednesday night, and they do not play this weekend, giving them extra time to rest and prepare for the first leg compared to their opponents.