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Joao Neves says what he really thinks of Arsenal as a team after PSG progress to Champions League final
In a different world, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Joao Neves might actually be playing for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.
Neves was lined up as Thomas Partey’s replacement last summer according to reports, but the midfielder ultimately joined PSG’s rebuild instead of Arsenal.
And after watching the two sides duel in their Champions League semi-final, it’s hard to argue with Neves’ choice.
The Portugal international embodies everything good about Luis Enrique’s side — he’s gotꦫ a deft touch, brilliant determination to win the ball back and also bags of potential.
The days of Neymar strolling around the Parc des Princes are well and truly over, and this young a🌼nd hungry PSG side made another clear state𝐆ment against Arsenal.
Joao Neves shares his Arsenal verdict
That being said, Neves actually gave his honest thoughts about Arsenal follꦦowing full-time in Paris.
The 20-year-old delivere👍d another performance way beyond his 🏅years — a midfielder who should challenge the likes of Rodri and Declan Rice for the crown of Europe’s best middle man in the years to come.
READ MORE: Andrea Berta n꧂eeds to sell £30m Arﷺsenal star as soon as the season ends
But in terms of what he thought of Arsenal, Neves labelled Mikel Arteta’ꦚs side as a ‘very strong team’, even if he thought the Parisiens did deserve to win.
Neves said: “We are very happy to be here in the Champions League final. Very important for us to find the victory and we have the chanꦰce to go for a Champions League title.
“Arsenal are a very strong team, lots of individual quality and as a team. But🦋 I think we werꦡe the better team.
“We will continue like that, work hard and stick to our game plan. I think that’s the best way for us to play, it’s our footbal🀅l and that’s how we found the win. We are confident.”
Mikel Arteta needs to make changes to his midfield
In truth, Partey struggled against PSG — he didn’t deliver the tie-changing performance that many were hopi♈ng for.
And perhaps that display delineated why Arsenal want to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
Zubimendi is presumably iꦫntended to🎉 come in and sit as Arsenal’s new number six, allowing Rice to continue further forward.
And given Arsenal plan to buy a striker, it’s also believed that Kai Havertz will drop into midfield m💟ore often next season too.
An important summeꦗr for Andrea Berta and Arteta to get right, and they wou🍃ld surely love to recruit a player who had even half of the potential of Neves at PSG.