Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha has hit back at the suggestion that he and his teammates lack the physicality to go toe-to-toe with Arsenal, insisting that his side’s success against Premier League opposition so far this season in the UEFA Champions League proves they can punch above their weight.

The triumvirate of Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, and Joao Neves have been outstanding in PSG’s passage to the Champions League semifinals, one that has seen them overcome Manchester City in the league phase before knocking out first Liverpool and then Aston Villa.

On Oct. 1, however, the Ligue 1 champions seemed overwhelmed in a 2-0 defeat to the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium, a muscular performance from Declan Rice proving particularly challenging for Luis Enrique’s side to slow down.

Arsenal figure to be no less powerful on Tuesday night than they were nearly seven months ago. They may be missing the suspended Thomas Partey, but Mikel Merino was unavailable last time these sides met and will fit in alongside Rice and club captain Martin Odegaard, another who played no part in the victory.

Vitinha stated:

“I don’t think there’s an issue at all in our midfield. We won against Liverpool, you said the same thing then that from an athletic point of view it would be difficult for you. We won then.”

He emphasized that whatever limitations there may be have not been exposed by the best of the Premier League as PSG continues to show resilience.

Luis Enrique maintained confidence in his team, noting:

“The pressure isn’t something we’re suffocating from; we’re managing it quite well. We’re a team that’s very ambitious. When we’re talking about writing history for us, it’s about going somewhere no one has gone before.”