Mikel Arteta has argued that the end-to-end drama seen when Paris Saint-Germain met Bayern Munich in the Champions League is a product of squad freshness that clubs in the Premier League cannot routinely afford.

Arteta pointed to the gulf in minutes and recovery between the competitions as the decisive factor behind such high-octane games. “The quality of the two teams, and especially the individual quality of players, I have never seen something like this,” Arteta said. “But when I look at the amount of minutes and the freshness of those players, I’m not surprised.

“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. You just have to see a lot of stats around it. We are comparing two different worlds.”

The manager used concrete examples to underline his point. Bayern went into their recent continental tie after being crowned Bundesliga champions. Vincent Kompany attempted to rest much of his usual starting eleven but was forced to introduce Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala from the bench after his side trailed Mainz 3–0 at half-time; Bayern ultimately won 4–3.

PSG have benefited at times from Ligue 1 scheduling that allowed extra recovery earlier in the tournament, a practice that has attracted criticism. Even so, PSG did rotate for a 3–0 win over Angers when they did not have the same recovery window before the semifinal first leg.

Arteta also highlighted the specific case of Ousmane Dembélé. The reigning Ballon d’Or holder and the Player of the Match against Bayern has started just nine times in Ligue 1 this season and has played fewer minutes across all competitions than 14 players in Arteta’s Arsenal squad. Dembélé remains PSG’s top scorer on 18 in all competitions, with 10 Ligue 1 goals leaving him seventh in that division’s scoring charts.

For Arteta, the contrast in fixture congestion and rotation policies explains why Arsenal’s more cautious, conservation-minded approach is necessary in the current Premier League campaign.

Steven Gerrard has admitted he still feels the absence of Luis Díaz and believes Michael Olise would be an ideal long-term option for Liverpool’s wide positions. Speaking on TNT Sports ahead of the Champions League quarterfinal first leg, Gerrard reflected on Díaz’s impact and the challenges facing the Reds.

“I wouldn’t mind Díaz back. I’m missing him, I’m missing him.” The remark underlined how Díaz’s form has left a gap at Anfield since his departure. That sense of loss was reinforced when Díaz opened the scoring in Bayern’s 2–1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Díaz, now 29, has been clear about his move to Germany. “Deciding to join Bayern was the right choice,” he said after the team’s massive Champions League victory. “I’m really happy and I enjoy every match. I feel great, I’m in good shape, and that means I’m ready to help the team.”

Bayern’s strong season explains Díaz’s contentment. They are in contention for three trophies: favourites for the DFB-Pokal, holding the advantage in their Champions League tie with Los Blancos, and sitting nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

Liverpool’s season has unfolded differently. The Reds were unable to challenge for the Carabao Cup, were eliminated by Manchester City from the FA Cup, sit in fifth place in the Premier League, and now face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarterfinals. The club said goodbye to Díaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer, and one year on Mohamed Salah has confirmed his impending exit after a tumultuous 2025–26 campaign headlined by a public falling out with manager Arne Slot and the club.

Liverpool must now identify a replacement for the departing winger. Gerrard pointed to Bayern’s Michael Olise — who has 46 goal contributions this season — as an outstanding candidate. “All day long. But the problem is, why would he leave Bayern? A big club challenging for the big honors and they are probably the strongest Bayern team we have seen for a while.”,

Gerrard’s comments framed the dilemma: Liverpool need quality on the wing, but attracting players from Europe’s leading clubs presents a difficult challenge.

Bayern Munich have denied making a contract offer to Mohamed Salah after reports in Egypt suggested approaches from Bayern, Paris Saint-Germain and unnamed Italian clubs. Salah, who turns 34 in June, is not ready to end his career and his next destination remains uncertain following Liverpool’s announcement about his future after the summer’s World Cup.

Max Eberl, Bayern’s board member for sport, was asked by Arabic sports news outlet winwin to clarify the claims and gave a direct rebuttal. “No, Mohamed Salah has not received any offer from Bayern Munich,” Eberl said.

A move to Bavaria would have raised the prospect of Salah reuniting with Luis Díaz, the former Liverpool teammate who swapped Anfield for the Allianz Arena last summer and has enjoyed an outstanding season. Bayern have shown little hesitation in signing established players in recent years, illustrated by the club making Harry Kane their record signing and the most expensive player in Bundesliga history shortly after he turned 30 in 2023.

Any potential Bayern transfer would also present competition for the same role as Michael Olise, who has 43 goals and assists for Bayern so far this season and is being discussed in Ballon d’Or conversations.

A transfer to Paris Saint-Germain also appears unlikely. Under Luis Enrique, PSG have shifted away from recruiting headline superstars and toward collective team-building, a model described in the reports as incompatible with “a player with an ego the size of Salah’s.”

Options for Salah to remain in Europe look limited. Barcelona have been mentioned as a possible suitor, but salary demands and the presence of Lamine Yamal in Salah’s preferred position pose obvious hurdles. Alternatives outside Europe include Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League. MLS has become more attractive to marquee signings since Lionel Messi’s 2023 move to Inter Miami; Messi’s reported salary is just over $20 million, although owner Jorge Mas has said the Argentine can be paid up to $80 million annually.