PSG and Bayern in 'different world' to Premier League teams - Arteta

Breaking news from the world of sport: PSG and Bayern in 'different world' to Premier League Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side will play at least 62 games this season, 63 if they reach the Champions League final By Craig Nelson Sport Journalist Published 20 minutes ago Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich are competing in "different worlds" to Premier League teams, says Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. And the Spaniard believes the difference in attacking quality on show in the first two legs of the Champions League semi-finals is down to the 'freshness' of the players. Ligue 1's leading side PSG edged out the German champions 5-4 in a thrilling tie at the Parc des Princes in Paris, while the Gunners ground out a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid .

Arteta says PSG and Bayern's star players were able to be fresher than the Gunners' tired attacking talent, which he believes is down to differing levels of competition they experience in their domestic leagues. "To deliver that much quality you have to be very fresh, and the difference in the leagues and the way they are competing is night and day," said the Arsenal boss. "You just have to see a lot of stats around it.

Match Details

We are comparing two different worlds. " A record-breaking semi-final - the antidote to modern football? Published 3 days ago Ranking the players who could decide the Champions League semi-finals Published 4 days ago Who will win the Champions League?

Place your vote Published 4 days ago Collectively, Arsenal 's starting XI in their Champions League semi-final first leg have played 32,508 minutes this season - more than any of their rivals left in the competition. Atletico's starting XI have played 31,701, compared with Bayern's 31,522 and PSG's 29,968. The Gunners' David Raya (4,140), Martin Zubimendi (4,096), Declan Rice (4,002) and William Saliba (3,774) were all in the top five, in terms of minutes played this season, out of the four starting line-ups.

While Rice, for example, has played 359 more minutes this season than England team-mate Harry Kane - almost equal to four whole matches. "The quality of the two teams , and especially the individual quality of players, I have never seen something like this," added Arteta. "But when I look at the amount of minutes and the freshness of those players, I'm not surprised.

Reactions and Expectations

"How many players were available ? All of them, at their very best. That's the most important thing.

" Are Premier League teams at a disadvantage? Image source, Getty Images Image caption, England captain Harry Kane and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele both scored in Tuesday's nine-goal Champions League semi-final first leg between Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich There is no doubt that PSG and Bayern's attacking players lived up to their billing in Tuesday night's thrilling encounter. Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice for defending champions PSG, who also had Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele on the scoresheet.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.