Luis Enrique explains call to omit Ousmane Dembélé from PSG squad vs Arsenal

Date:

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has on Monday provided an insight into his decision to leave Ousmane Dembélé out of his latest matchday squad.

For those who may have missed it, the name of wide-man Dembélé has dominated the headlines in France’s capital across the day to date. This comes after the former Barcelona man was a shock omission from PSG’s latest Champions League squad.

The Ligue 1 champions are primed to return to action on the continent on Tuesday night, when they will make the trip to London for a daunting matchday 2 meeting with Premier League heavyweights Arsenal.

On Monday afternoon, PSG’s travelling squad bound for England, in turn, was unveiled online. And, as alluded to above, attacker Dembélé was nowhere to be seen. The 27-year-old has enjoyed a fine start to the new campaign, notching four goals and three assists across his first six Ligue 1 appearances. His complete omission to face Arsenal therefore marked nothing short of a shock.

Speaking to the media in his pre-Gunners press conference, Luis Enrique was therefore drawn on the call not to include Dembélé in his latest squad. And the Spanish tactician went on to point towards ‘an issue with respect to his obligations towards the team’ as being behind his decision:

“I won’t make a saga out of it… there was simply an issue with respect to his obligations towards the team. I want the best for the team and I left him out. There was no fight between me and Dembélé.

“It looks like we never lost a game with Dembélé? No, we lost against Newcastle, Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Barça at home. If someone doesn’t comply with team rules, it means he’s not ready for a key week like this one.”

PSG will make the trip to The Emirates with sights set on a 2nd win in two to open the club’s Champions League campaign, after putting La Liga outfit Girona to the sword by a goal to nil on opening day.

Conor Laird
Conor Laird
Lifelong Juventus fan bringing you the biggest Bianconeri stories from Italian football’s leading sources

Recommended Articles

Related articles

Newcastle star set to sign new long-term contract ‘soon’

A leading member of the attacking ranks at Premier League outfit Newcastle United will soon see his terms...

Liverpool boss Slot confirms fresh injury blow before Bologna

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has on Tuesday confirmed a fresh injury blow in his squad. Premier League giants...

‘Where is he?’ – Jamie Carragher slates Man United star for display vs Tottenham

Former Liverpool star and current Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has on Monday torn into a leading member...

Mikel Arteta provides triple Arsenal injury update ahead of PSG clash

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has on Monday provided an update on the fitness situation in his squad....

Paolo Maldini hails €60m AC Milan player as ‘special’ after historic goal milestone

AC Milan's 3-0 victory over Lecce at San Siro was a night to remember for Theo Hernandez, who...

Premier League vs. La Liga: The journey of Julian Alvarez and Conor Gallagher

Being the best league in the world, it is hard for players in the Premier League to leave...

Luton Town: From Premier League dreams to relegation realities

A troubled season Portsmouth, Leeds United, and now potentially Luton Town could be on the verge of heading into...

Juventus summer signing names Angel Di Maria as his idol

New Juventus signing Nico González has on Thursday named a former Bianconeri star as his footballing idol. Frontman Nico,...