Luis Enrique had a brutally cool reply to Mikel Arteta’s claim that the PSG bench admitted Arsenal were the ‘better team’.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique delivered a blunt response after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta commented on the behavior of PSG’s bench during their Champions League semi-final second leg clash.

PSG secured a 2-1 win at Parc des Princes on Wednesday, sealing a 3-1 aggregate victory to advance to the final.

Arsenal began the match strongly, creating two clear chances within the first 20 minutes, only to be denied by excellent saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Arteta’s team applied early pressure, forcing PSG into mistakes at the back, but couldn’t capitalize with a goal.

PSG gradually took control and went into halftime ahead thanks to a deflected long-range effort from Fabian Ruiz. Achraf Hakimi doubled the lead soon after Vitinha missed a penalty, which had been awarded for a Myles Lewis handball.

Arsenal managed to get one back through Bukayo Saka, who later missed another opportunity after Donnarumma failed to clear a low cross.

While Arteta later claimed members of PSG’s bench told him Arsenal were the better team, Enrique laughed off the suggestion when asked by Sky Sports’ Gary Cotterill.

“I don’t agree at all,” Enrique replied. “Mikel Arteta is a great friend, but I completely disagree. They played smart and tried to control the game in their style, but over two legs, we scored more goals — and that’s what counts in football.”