Luis Enrique Reveals PSG’s Plan to Counter Key Arsenal Threat in Champions League Semi-Final

PSG Boss Keeps Cool Over Arsenal’s Set-Piece Strength

As anticipation builds ahead of the Champions League semi-final clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, Luis Enrique has made one thing abundantly clear: he’s not losing sleep over set-pieces. In a week filled with tactical debates and bold predictions, the PSG boss struck a calm, confident tone when pressed on how he plans to deal with one of Arsenal’s most lethal weapons.

In recent seasons, the Gunners have turned dead-ball situations into goldmines. Under the guidance of set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover, Arsenal have transformed corners and free-kicks into reliable scoring chances, often swinging tight matches in their favor. From well-drilled routines to perfectly executed deliveries, it’s become a genuine part of their identity.

But for Luis Enrique, whose team faces Arsenal in the first leg at the Emirates on Tuesday, there’s no panic. No over-preparation. No drastic changes. Just business as usual.

Arsenal’s Set-Piece Success Under Jover

To understand why the topic even surfaced, one needs to look at Arsenal’s evolution over the past two years. When Nicolas Jover joined Mikel Arteta’s backroom team from Manchester City, few predicted just how influential he’d be. But it didn’t take long for his presence to make an impact.

Arsenal went from middling in set-piece goals to leading the Premier League in goals scored from corners and free-kicks. This season, they’ve bagged goals from a variety of cleverly designed routines—some involving decoy runners, others utilizing crowding tactics to disorient defenders.

The quarter-final against Real Madrid was a case in point. Arsenal advanced thanks in part to two outrageous free-kicks from Declan Rice, bending efforts that beat even Thibaut Courtois. Ironically, those weren’t even rehearsed in training—Rice admitted after the match that he ignored Jover’s instructions. Still, the result was the same: two goals from dead-ball situations, two big moments in a tie of fine margins.

Luis Enrique: “We’re Not Doing Anything Extra”

So, naturally, Luis Enrique was asked whether PSG would be focusing extra attention on this area of Arsenal’s game. The response? Not quite what most expected.

“We will prepare in the same way as we did against Liverpool,” Luis Enrique said. “Liverpool are a team that has at least as much potential as Arsenal, if not more. Aston Villa also had great potential in this area, as do the majority of Ligue 1 teams.”

It wasn’t dismissive—it was deliberate. Luis Enrique wasn’t downplaying Arsenal’s danger; he was simply reinforcing his belief in his team’s existing preparation model.

“We will not prepare our team based on this aspect of the game in particular,” he added. “But it is obvious that we must be competitive everywhere.”

In other words, PSG aren’t going to redesign their training sessions or obsess over Arsenal’s corner routines. Instead, they’ll trust the fundamentals that have served them well thus far.

Turning the Tables: PSG’s Own Set-Piece Strength

Rice’s free-kicks stole the show / Catherine Ivill – AMA/GettyImages

Not only is Luis Enrique unbothered by Arsenal’s prowess from dead balls—he’s flipping the narrative. According to the Spanish manager, it’s actually Arsenal who should be concerned about PSG’s set-piece abilities.

“Throughout this season, and the previous one, we’ve constantly changed our attacking set pieces,” Luis Enrique noted. “We use them depending on what seems appropriate to us: direct corners, short corners, indirect corners… it depends on the opponent.”

It’s a subtle flex, but a meaningful one. PSG may not be known for their set-pieces in the same way Arsenal are, but under Luis Enrique’s tactical acumen, they’ve become more unpredictable. With players like Ousmane Dembélé, Vitinha, and of course, Kylian Mbappé lurking around the box, any delivery can turn dangerous.

“We have scored goals in this area,” Luis Enrique concluded, “and I consider our level to be very good.”

PSG’s Road to the Semi-Final

This semi-final comes at a pivotal time in PSG’s European story. After years of near-misses, painful exits, and unfulfilled potential, the French giants are eyeing a serious shot at Champions League glory. They’ve already taken out Liverpool and edged past Aston Villa in the previous rounds—no easy task, especially on English soil.

They narrowly lost the second leg against Villa, 3–2, but held on thanks to a dominant first leg. Before that, they outlasted Liverpool at Anfield, winning 1–0 in regulation and progressing after a tense penalty shootout.

Now, they return to England for another test. And while Arsenal are riding high, especially after dispatching Real Madrid in such dramatic fashion, Luis Enrique and his squad remain unfazed.

This isn’t a team rattled by narratives or media hype. It’s a group laser-focused on the task at hand, guided by a manager who knows exactly what he wants—and how to get it.

Tactical Chess Match: What to Expect

Both Luis Enrique and Arteta are tacticians at heart. Both believe in structure, discipline, and fluid attacking football. But where this semi-final might be won or lost could come down to the tiniest of margins—set-pieces included.

Enrique’s cool demeanor suggests PSG will not be caught off guard. But whether that confidence proves to be justified will depend on how effectively they can neutralize Arsenal’s threat without devoting extra resources.

On the flip side, Arteta and Jover may look at Luis Enrique’s words as an opportunity. If PSG are not giving special attention to defending corners or free-kicks, that might just open a window.

Clash of Styles, Clash of Mentalities

This semi-final isn’t just about tactics—it’s about philosophy. Arsenal’s rise under Arteta has been one of steady growth, built on trust, player development, and collective belief. PSG, on the other hand, are balancing the pressure of expectation with a renewed sense of identity under Luis Enrique.

Where Arsenal are still in the process of becoming, PSG are in the business of delivering. That difference in mentality will play out in subtle ways—from the team talks to the substitutions to the way each side reacts when things don’t go according to plan.

And in a tie as evenly matched as this, every detail matters.

Final Word

Luis Enrique’s approach to Arsenal’s set-piece threat might seem understated on the surface, but it’s rooted in experience, confidence, and trust in his team’s processes. For PSG, the goal isn’t to play Arsenal’s game—it’s to impose their own.

Whether that cool-headedness will be enough to contain the Gunners’ growing threat remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: with two of Europe’s most dynamic sides going head-to-head, the Champions League semi-final promises to be nothing short of spectacular.

And if a goal comes from a corner or a free-kick? Well, that might just be the moment that defines the tie.