Luis Enrique will lead his Paris Saint-Germain squad to the Emirates Stadium for a key match in the second round of the revamped competition.
Arteta and Enrique share a long history, having played together at Barcelona during the late 1990s and early 2000s, a period when Arteta was beginning his professional journey and Enrique was nearing the end of his playing career.
Arteta noted that he “gained a wealth of knowledge” from Enrique, both as a player and now as a coach, stating on Monday that his fellow countryman “brings joy to my day.”
“I hold him in high regard,” Arteta remarked. “I recall his vibrant personality, immense character, and boundless energy, always encouraging his younger players. What I admire most is that wherever he has been, whether as a player or a manager, his influence is evident. You can clearly see his impact on PSG; it is unmistakably his team.
“He possesses incredible strength … and his outlook on life and his profession is truly commendable; I have learned a great deal from him.”
Last week, Arteta focused extensively on Guardiola and Manchester City following Arsenal’s intense 2-2 draw with the Premier League champions, a match that seems to have sparked a rivalry between the two clubs.
While he is often regarded as a disciple of Guardiola, it is clear that Enrique has also played a significant role in shaping his approach.
“I appreciate his candor — he is very direct, looking you in the eye and his thoughts honestly,” Arteta commented. “Ultimately, players value that.”
Arteta characterized PSG, where he had a loan spell in 2000-01 alongside stars like Ronaldinho and Nicolas Anelka, as a team “likely at the pinnacle of European football.”
Enrique's team is currently at the top of the French league, having secured five victories and one draw in their first six matches of the title defense. They commenced their Champions League campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory against Girona, which was achieved through a last-minute own goal.
In contrast, Arsenal opened their season with a scoreless draw against Atalanta.
Arteta mentioned that Arsenal will assess the fitness of fullbacks Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori on Monday.