Ousmane Dembele’s Absence Boosts Arsenal Ahead of PSG Clash

Ousmane Dembele’s absence from Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for Tuesday’s Champions League clash at Emirates Stadium has given Arsenal a boost. The France forward has made a strong start to the season, scoring four goals in six Ligue 1 matches and contributing to PSG’s 1-0 victory over Girona in their Champions League opener.  However, reports surfaced about a disagreement between Dembele and PSG manager Luis Enrique after the player received a late substitution in the team’s 3-1 win over Rennes.

Enrique stated, “If someone doesn’t comply or respect the expectations of the team, it means they are not prepared to play. I want all my players to be ready, so as a consequence, I have left him out. I want the best for my team and that is my job.” Ousmane Dembele, who joined PSG after his time at Barcelona stands out as one of the biggest names on the team following Kylian Mbappé’s departure.

When asked about the situation, Enrique insisted there are no underlying issues, describing his decision as a necessary step for team discipline. “This doesn’t mean this is irreversible, but I took the best decision for the team,” he said. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the challenge of facing PSG, stating they are likely at their “highest level.”

He emphasized that this match represents a great opportunity for Arsenal to test their preparedness against elite competition. Arteta also provided updates on players Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori, both of whom may be available for selection.  White has missed the last two matches due to a knee injury while Calafiori is recovering from a knock sustained during the win over Leicester.

Arteta remains optimistic about their conditions leading into the crucial matchup.