Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is set to face his former mentor, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Luis Enrique, in a pivotal UEFA Champions League semi-final. The first leg is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Emirates Stadium.​

Arteta, who began his professional playing career at PSG in 2001, has often credited his early experiences in Paris for shaping his managerial philosophy. During his time at PSG, he played alongside notable figures such as Ronaldinho, Mauricio Pochettino, and Gabriel Heinze. Arteta has previously mentioned how he helped keep the then-young Ronaldinho disciplined during their time together, highlighting the camaraderie and mentorship that influenced his development.

Luis Enrique, now at the helm of PSG, has transformed the team into a formidable force in European football. Under his guidance, PSG has adopted a dynamic and fluid tactical approach, making them one of the most challenging teams to face in Europe. Despite a recent 3-1 home defeat to Nice, which ended their hopes of an unbeaten Ligue 1 season, Enrique remains confident in his team's abilities and is determined to secure a Champions League final berth.

For Arteta, this semi-final represents a significant personal and professional milestone. Having previously eliminated Real Madrid with a 5-1 aggregate score, Arsenal now faces another elite European club in PSG. Arteta's tactical acumen and leadership will be crucial as he leads his team against a PSG side that has been dominant in both domestic and European competitions.

The upcoming matches are expected to be a tactical battle between two managers who share a deep respect for each other's work. While their friendship will be put aside during the competition, both Arteta and Enrique are committed to achieving success for their respective teams.

As the Champions League semi-final approaches, all eyes will be on the Emirates Stadium to see how Arteta's Arsenal measures up against Enrique's PSG in what promises to be an exciting and closely contested encounter.