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FC·PREVIEW·May 6, 2026 07:23 PM ET

Luis Enrique salutes 'Mikelito' Arteta as PSG, Arsenal set for Champions League final

Old Barcelona teammates meet again in Budapest.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated May 61 min read
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What happened: PSG manager Luis Enrique offered public praise for Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta ahead of the Champions League final, calling him "Mikelito" and noting their shared roots as childhood teammates. Enrique said Arteta "did a great job at Arsenal" but warned PSG will lean on its own football style in what he expects to be a difficult game.

Why it matters: The exchange frames a final defined as much by managerial pedigree as by playing rosters, with Enrique chasing back-to-back European glory and Arteta on the brink of a first Champions League title for Arsenal. Mutual respect aside, both managers carry distinct tactical identities that will shape the matchup in Budapest.

What to watch: Watch for team-news updates and final pre-match pressers as the Budapest final approaches. Carragher's invite — and Enrique's polite refusal — underscores how dialed-in PSG remain in the build-up.

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