PSG boss Luis Enrique makes feelings clear on Bukayo Saka with 'superior' Arsenal claim
Luis Enrique insisted he was to blame for Paris Saint-Germain's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal as he defended Gianluigi Donnarumma for allowing Bukayo Saka to score from a free-kick.
The Ligue 1 champions were well beaten at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night as Kai Havertz and Saka fired past Donnarumma before half-time to hand the Gunners a first win in the Champions League this season.
And shortly after Havertz's header broke the deadlock, Donnarumma faced further questions as Saka's inswinging free-kick beat the Italy international to double the lead ten minutes before the interval.
However, Enrique refused to blame Donnarumma for conceding the Englishman's shot-cross but admitted PSG's defence was below the required levels as they endured a difficult night in North London.
“In all honesty, I am not here to put the blame on anyone,” said Enrique. “If anyone is to blame, it is me. I am responsible for this. “Donnarumma and his colleagues were far from the standards required. Our rivals were better, in terms of pressure and intensity, and they won every duel.
“It is impossible to come out of the game with a positive result if you don’t win any duels. From the first minute, Arsenal were superior to us.”
READ MORE: Arsenal player ratings vs PSG as Havertz and Saliba shine while Merino makes debut
READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Jurrien Timber fitness, Havertz form and Merino debut
By winning Tuesday night's tie, Arsenal moved into the automatic qualification places (1-8) for the knockout stage as they added to the point they took from their fixture against Atalanta a fortnight ago.