Paris Saint-Germain axe Ousmane Dembele from squad following blazing row with Luis Enrique ahead of Arsenal Champions League clash
Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrqiue has confirmed Ousmane Dembele has been dropped from the squad in an unexpected boost for Arsenal.
Arsenal welcome Les Parisiens to the Emirates on Tuesday night, live on talkSPORT, in the second round of fixtures the revamped Champions League.
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But the French giants will be without star forward Dembele after he was left out of their travelling squad to north London.
The 27-year-old was a surprise omission from the squad announcement that was posted on X on Monday morning.
It was reported by French media, this is due to disciplinary reasons, which have effectively been confirmed by Enrique.
"If someone doesn't comply or respect the expectations of the team, it means they are not prepared to play," said Enrique.
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"I want all my players to be ready, so as a consequence I have left him [Dembele] out. I want the best for my team and that is my job.
"These circumstances are difficult and you have to take difficult decisions but I am 100 per cent engaged with my decision and 100 per cent sure of the decision I have made."
French outlet L'Equipe stated it was because of a heated row the pair were involved in following the recent 3-1 win over Rennes.
It has been said that Enrique took exception to some of the Les Bleus international's decisions during the game.
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And the Spaniard is reported to not have reacted well after Dembele returned fire and hit back at the former Barcelona manager.
Enrique didn't go into the specifics but insists there are no underlying problems between them and there's reason why the player can't get back in his good books.
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"I am very honest and I will be honest, but I am not going to create a soap opera out of this.
"There are no problems between us. That is completely false. This is simply about the responsibilities of the player.
"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 has a lot of character."
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Dembele's absence will be a huge blow for PSG, with the forward being one of their standout performers so far this term.
He has already chipped in with four goals and as many assists from the club's opening six Ligue 1 matches.
The ex-Barca man has bettered his tally of three top-flight strikes he managed last campaign in what was his first season at PSG.
Mikel Arteta was quizzed on Dembele's development in his pre-match press conference earlier on Monday.
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To which he said: "We just got the news. We don’t know if it is true or not. But we prepare like we always do, but they have many other options."
Unlike Arsenal who drew their opening League phase match against Atalanta, PSG kicked off their Champions League campaign with a win after beating Girona 1-0.
But they know they will be in for a tough battle against the Premier League title challengers, with Dembele one of a number of players unavailable for selection.
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Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Asensio and Desire Doue are all believed to be doubts for the match.
Meanwhile, PSG are also without defenders Presnel Kimpembe and Lucas Hernandez as well as striker Goncalo Ramos due to long-term injuries.