Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain competing in 'different worlds' to Arsenal and Premier League teams, says Mikel Arteta

PSG beat Bayern 5-4 in a thrilling UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg in Paris, a game which has already been called one of the best games ever played. The second leg of the semi-final will be played on Wednesday, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.  

Speaking ahead of his side's match against Fulham, the Arsenal manager explained that both sides have benefited from easier domestic schedules, allowing them to be fresher at this stage of the season, while Premier League teams have a gruelling calendar to contend with.

"When I look at that game, Bayern-PSG is probably the best game I have ever witnessed on the quality of two teams, and especially the individual quality that the players deliver, I've never seen something like this," Arteta told reporters during a press conference on Friday.

"But when I look at the amount of minutes and the freshness of those players, then I'm not surprised. To deliver those moments of quality, you have to be very fresh and the difference in the leagues and the way they compete is night and day, and you just have to see a lot of stats that have been recently around it.

"We are competing in two different worlds, so you cannot compare one part of that without giving any context to that. I don't think it's fair."

PSG are in pole position to claim their fifth straight Ligue 1 title with a six-point lead atop the table and just four games of the season remaining.

Similarly, Bayern have wrapped up the Bundesliga title so have been able to rest key players in recent weeks. In their game against Heidenheim on Saturday, many of Bayern's key contributors - including Harry Kane, Luis Diaz and Michael Olise - began on the bench.

PSG also changed much of their starting XI for their league game against FC Lorient on Saturday, with only Willian Pacho and Desire Doue retaining their starting place.

Conversely, Arsenal are locked in a nail-biting Premier League title race with Manchester City as they seek their first league title since 2004.

They are also still competing in the Champions League having drawn the first leg of their semi-final tie with Atletico Madrid 1-1 last week, with the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

But with Arsenal having the opportunity to go six points clear at the top of the table with a victory over Fulham on Saturday - Manchester City face Everton on Monday - Arteta said his team are fully focused on their London rivals, not on the second leg against Atletico.

"We know that we can only focus on one game and that game has enough difficulties and challenges that thinking in a different way is not going to be helpful at all," Arteta said.

"The players' reaction immediately after that is, 'Now it's Fulham, and now it's Fulham and now it's Fulham' immediately in the dressing room. They know that.

"They will have time to prepare for Atletico Madrid, and after that we will have more separation in games. We know that this very particular period and short turnaround, just focus on Fulham and we will take care of the rest afterwards."

Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.

Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.