Arsenal will look to capitalize on the absence of Ousmane Dembele in Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for their Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
The French winger has been in strong form, netting four goals in six Ligue 1 appearances this season and contributing to PSG’s 1-0 victory over Girona in their Champions League opener. However, reports surfaced indicating that Dembele had a falling-out with head coach Luis Enrique following his late substitution during PSG’s 3-1 victory over Rennes last Friday.
Enrique addressed the situation bluntly, stating, “If someone doesn’t comply or respect the team’s expectations, they aren’t prepared to play.” He emphasized his commitment to the team’s best interests, leading to Dembele’s omission from the upcoming match.
He elaborated on his decision: “These circumstances are tough, and difficult choices must be made, but I am fully committed to my decision. I am sure it’s the right one for the team.”
As a former star of Barcelona, Dembele has emerged as one of PSG’s key players in the post-Kylian Mbappe era. When asked about the situation, Enrique was clear: “I am honest, but I won’t turn this into a soap opera. There are no issues between us; this is purely about player responsibility. This situation isn’t permanent, but I believe this is the best choice for the team’s identity and character.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists his squad will treat the match as an opportunity to test themselves against elite competition, even with Dembele sidelined. He acknowledged that PSG is one of the highest-caliber teams in European football, having reached the semi-finals of the Champions League three times in the last five years.
Arteta remarked, “The opposition we are facing is probably the highest level in European football. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to assess our preparedness and ability to impose our style in such a challenging environment.”
Arteta also provided an update on defenders Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori, both of whom are in contention for selection. White has been out for the past two matches due to a knee injury, while Calafiori sustained a knock during the closing moments of the Gunners’ victory over Leicester.
Regarding Calafiori’s condition, Arteta noted, “He was understandably emotional after the game. We’ll evaluate how he is today.”
Credit: BBC Sport
