Luis Enrique has already praised four Arsenal players ahead of UEFA Champions League semi-final vs PSG

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Luis Enrique is currently plotting how to defeat Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League.

The Spaniard has little to think about in terms of domestic football – despite a Ligue 1 clash against OGC Nice to contend with on Friday – as PSG have already secured the title, so most of his attention can go towards the Gunners.

PSG have already succumbed to the quality of Arsenal this season back in October during a league phase encounter, losing 2-0 after Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka found the scoresheet.

However, Luis Enrique reserved special praise for four other Arsenal players after that result, a quartet we believe he will be focusing on even more closely in his preparations for next week.

Who Luis Enrique hailed after Arsenal 2-0 PSG

The 54-year-old was particularly impressed by Arsenal’s backline on that October day, where Mikel Arteta selected Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber to start.

Enrique – who Tottenham wanted to hire – said: “We won none of our duels. Their defenders completely anticipated our attackers.

“From the first minute, Arsenal were superior to us in the game. We knew from the first minute they were going to press us high, aggressive, and they did it great. We couldn’t overcome that kind of pressure. If you try to overcome that pressure but you lose every single duel you’re going to be far away to win the match.”

There has since been a significant development after Gabriel damaged his hamstring, ruling the Brazilian out for the remainder of the season, so Enrique will at least not have to contend with the towering South American.

Having said that, Jakub Kiwior has shone since replacing the Arsenal No.6 in defence, playing a vital role in limiting Real Madrid to just one goal across both legs, and even that came courtesy of an uncharacteristic mistake by Saliba.

Riccardo Calafiori could have an entirely different role in the UEFA Champions League semi-final

Calafiori excelled against PSG in October, making five clearances, four tackles and one key pass as he kept Desire Doue – a talent compared to Neymar – silent.

However, the Italy international might not even be part of the defence in the semi-final.

Calafiori wants to play in midfield, telling Arteta in March: “There are many things I still don’t know how to do. I want to keep learning to play in as many different roles as possible. For now, I know two, but have always been passionate about midfielders and would love to learn how to play there.”

An opening has since emerged after Thomas Partey got himself suspended for the first leg of the semi-final with a yellow card inside the Santiago Bernabeu, which could lead Arteta to deploy the Italian in a brand new role against the Parisians.