%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes has labelled Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka his toughest opponent.
PSG are preparing for their Champions League semi-final with the Gunners having lost 2-0 at the Emirates during the league phase back in October. Luis Enrique's side have evolved considerably since then, but they were beaten for the first time domestically this season ahead of Tuesday's first leg.
While there won't be an invincible season in Paris, Arsenal's upcoming opponents have already wrapped up the Ligue 1 title. Like the Gunners, their domestic fixtures have merely been nuisances since they progressed deeper in Europe.
Mikel Arteta's side have faltered in the Premier League over the past couple of months, collecting 17 points from their previous ten games, and Liverpool now need just a point to claim the title with a month of the season remaining.
Nuno Mendes labels Bukayo Saka as his toughest-ever opponent
Big performance from Nuno Mendes tonight, so what better time to remind everyone what Bukayo Saka did to him when #Arsenal met them in October. This is what a world class winger looks like. #AFC
— Adam Keys (@adamkeys_) April 9, 2025
pic.twitter.com/CTlJkrhTfO
PSG may not have the prestige or heritage of Real Madrid, but they're are far better team. The departure of Kylian Mbappe has bolstered the collective, and Enrique has done an excellent job of morphing his team into a slick, cohesive juggernaut.
They've knocked out two Premier League clubs to reach the last four, and, like Arsenal, are now aiming to reach their second Champions League final.
Key to their success is the dynamism of their full-backs: Achraf Hakimi and Mendes. Left-back Mendes has performed superbly this season, sparkling on the big stage with his performances against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Aston Villa.
However, by his own admission, he could be in for his biggest challenge against the Gunners. Back in March, the PSG left-back had this to say on who his toughest-ever opponent has been (via Leo Dasilva on X): "Saka, always.
"He's very, very good. Because now it's constant, you play against inverted wingers. So 20 years ago, you'd play against a right-footer at left-back, show him that side and cross it, but it's not the end of the world.
"Whereas now you're playing against wingers who, if you send them inside, they'll come inside, they'll shoot. You're like, 'Right, I'll cover that', then they take it down the line and cross it anyway.
"I think Saka's up there for me as the most consistent," he concluded.
Mendes, as the kids say, knows ball. Despite missing three months because of a hamstring tear, Saka hasn't missed a beat since returning to the fold. He dazzled in the quarter-finals against Madrid, scoring at the Bernabeu, and has doubtlessly asserted himself as one of the world's best.
The Arsenal superstar is 1-0 up on Mendes from their October meeting, and their upcoming tussles could go a long way to deciding who'll be travelling to Munich on 26 May.