Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 8y

PSG's Motta calls Arsenal 'a level above' Chelsea ahead of UCL clash

Paris Saint-Germain's Thiago Motta feels Arsenal will pose the French giants a sterner test in the UEFA Champions League next week than Chelsea have each of the last three times they have met the Blues.

The Gunners visit Parc des Princes next Tuesday for the opening Group A clash and PSG warmed up poorly for the encounter, drawing 1-1 at home to AS Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 and adding more players to an already significant injury list.

Motta, 34, sees Arsene Wenger's men as "a level above" familiar foes Chelsea because of their open style of play.

"Arsenal are a level above Chelsea because they like to play," Motta said in the mixed zone after the match with Saint-Etienne. "We have not faced an English team that plays this way."

Less than 48 hours after returning from international duty with Brazil, Marquinhos started in central defence alongside the impressive Presnel Kimpembe.

The PSG youth academy graduate was moved to left back once Layvin Kurzawa went off injured and Motta moved backwards to partner Marquinhos at the back with Grzegorz Krychowiak in defensive midfield.

The Brazilian admitted disappointment at the result but acknowledged that Saint-Etienne are one of Ligue 1's tougher sides.

"We weren't looking for a draw tonight, at home," Marquinhos conceded after the final whistle. "We were leading and we conceded that goal late on. It hurts.

"We have to work hard now, all together, to try and find solutions. Matches against Saint-Etienne are always very tough. They play to their strengths, they're very physical."

Thomas Meunier made his home debut for PSG at right-back in place of the injured Serge Aurier and endured 90 difficult minutes.

However, the Belgium international was delighted to have finally made his bow in front of the Parc des Princes crowd.

"I played my first match at Parc des Princes tonight," Meunier told press in the mixed zone. "It was a fabulous thing and I felt a lot of emotion. But we could have done better tonight. The team is not yet into it's stride. We struggled to carve out clear-cut chances. We are not yet percent."

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