Ousmane Dembele has been axed from Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for their Champions League showdown with Arsenal, after failing to meet team expectations, according to coach Luis Enrique.
Dembele, who has been one of PSG’s standout players this season, did not travel with the team to London for the crucial Tuesday night match. Speaking during a press conference at the Emirates Stadium, Luis Enrique confirmed the 27-year-old winger’s exclusion, citing issues regarding the player’s conduct.
“If someone doesn’t comply or respect the expectations of the team, it means they are not prepared to play,” Enrique said firmly. He added that while Dembele’s omission was a significant decision, it was necessary for the team’s success.
The decision follows reports from French media suggesting that tensions had flared between Dembele and Luis Enrique after PSG’s 3-1 victory over Rennes last Friday. Dembele, who was substituted late in the game, allegedly had a heated exchange with the manager. However, Enrique downplayed the incident, stating that there were no personal issues between them. “There are no problems between us. That is completely false. This is simply about the responsibilities of the player,” he said.
Despite his form, with four goals and four assists in six Ligue 1 games, Dembele’s absence will see PSG rely heavily on forward Bradley Barcola, who has been leading the scoring charts in France this season with six goals. Barcola netted twice in the victory over Rennes, and his sharp form will be crucial for PSG in Dembele’s absence.
Luis Enrique expressed full confidence in his decision, saying it wasn’t irreversible but necessary to uphold the team’s values. “It doesn’t mean this is irreversible, but I took the best decision for the team and that is why I signed here, to create a team that has a strong identity and a lot of character,” he emphasized.
Ahead of the clash, Enrique praised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, hailing him as one of the best coaches in world football. “He changed Arsenal’s fortunes from a somewhat winless streak to one of the best teams in the world. I would go as far as to say they are the best team in Europe playing without the ball,” he said.
As PSG prepares for a vital encounter with Arsenal, all eyes will be on how the French champions adapt to Dembele’s absence and whether Luis Enrique’s bold decision will pay off.
