Kvaratskhelia: Liverpool and Villa tests give PSG edge over Arsenal in Champions League tie

Paris Saint-Germain forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has expressed confidence that his side can outwit Arsenal when the teams meet in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.

The Georgian winger has settled quickly into life at PSG since his winter arrival, crediting the club’s warm environment and state-of-the-art facilities for helping him find his feet.

“I think I’ve settled in pretty well,” Kvaratskhelia said. “From the very first moment, I felt strong support from the fans and the club. It makes you believe in yourself and realise your value as a player.”

Kvaratskhelia admitted that PSG’s resources have been vital for maintaining sharpness ahead of a relentless run-in. “The PSG Campus is fully equipped,” he said. “Whether you need rest or a personalised session, this place has everything. You just focus on football.”

Now turning his attention to the clash with Arsenal, Kvaratskhelia underlined the significance of the Champions League. “It’s probably the biggest football tournament in my opinion,” he said. “Everyone wants to win it, but it’s incredibly difficult. Every club at this stage has the ability and the skills to win it.”

PSG will be looking to build on previous successes against English opposition, having eliminated Liverpool in the round of 16, then Aston Villa in the quarter-finals.

Kvaratskhelia believes those experiences could prove invaluable against the Gunners. “It wasn’t easy to face Liverpool and Aston Villa, but we gave it our all. I think it will have a positive impact and help us against Arsenal,” he said.

The Georgian is no stranger to troubling Premier League sides. During Napoli’s 2022 Champions League encounter with Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp described him as “cheeky”, “really quick”, and someone “already gone” once he gained the advantage in one-on-one duels.

“He goes inside, he can go outside, that makes it always really difficult,” the German coach said after the match.

With PSG still chasing an historic treble, Kvaratskhelia is determined to keep delivering. “We have a lot of goals to achieve. We are working hard to win what we deserve,” he said. “We’ll have to give it our all.”

The first leg in London could set the tone for a historic campaign, and Kvaratskhelia is clearly relishing the challenge.