Bukayo Saka
has snubbed
Premier League
champions
Liverpool
and named the best team
Arsenal
have faced this season.
Arne Slot’s relentless winning machine
celebrated their coronation last Sunday after thrashing Tottenham
at Anfield, leaving the Gunners scrapping to finish as runners-up for a third year in succession.
Despite trailing in the Reds’ wake, Arsenal’s record against the Big Six remains impressive and equipped themselves well against Liverpool earlier this season in a 2-2 draw in which Liverpool secured a point thanks to Mohamed Salah’s late equaliser.
Mikel Arteta’s side, meanwhile, are unbeaten against the rest of the English elite and have largely coasted through to the latter stages of the Champions League where, until Tuesday night, Inter were the only team to have beaten them.
Arsenal face an uphill battle now to qualify for the final in Munich after Ousmane Dembele’s goal secured a first leg win for Paris Saint-Germain who have improved to such an extent since their meeting earlier in the season, when they lost 2-0, that Saka believes they are strongest side he has faced this season.
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‘100% they were like a different team,’ said Saka in an interview with Sky Sports, when asked to rate PSG’s performance in midweek.
‘I know they only changed two players from the line-up against us previously but how much cohesion they have, how they flow, how they move the ball they were a lot better and they impressed me to be fair.
‘I would say so probably yes. They have a lot of threat up at the top end of the pitch and I think in the midfield as well they keep the ball really well and try and make you run. I don’t think anyone likes to run if I’m honest’.
Saka got the better of his direct opponent Nuno Mendes when the two clashed back in October, but it was a far more even contest in midweek.
‘It was a good battle, he’s a top full-back he’s so quick,’ said Saka. ‘I enjoy those battles and look forward to going against next week.’
Despite a far from ideal scenario heading to the Parc des Princes, the England winger remains confident his side are capable of raising their game and overturning a one-goal deficit.
He said: ‘I think it’s important to stay calm but obviously we know we have another level to go and I think we’re going to show it in Paris and I’m confident we can turn it around.
‘It was tough to find space, they put a lot of bodies around me, they defended well and I’m looking at the space I can find in the second leg.’
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