Forward Ousmane Dembele has been omitted from the Paris Saint-Germain squad for their upcoming Champions League match against Arsenal, as he did not meet the team’s requirements, according to manager Luis Enrique. Reports from French media indicate that a conversation took place between Dembele and Enrique after PSG’s 3-1 victory over Rennes, leading to Dembele’s exclusion for what is described as disciplinary reasons.
Enrique clarified that there was no personal conflict with Dembele, but emphasized that his decision was made in the best interest of the team. “If someone doesn’t comply with the requirements of the team, it means they are not ready,” he remarked during a press conference. He highlighted the necessity for all players to be fully available in such a crucial week leading up to an important match.
The manager faced questions regarding his choice to leave out a player who has netted four goals in six league matches for a significant European fixture. He explained the complexities involved in team selection, insisting that making the right choices is never simple. “Creating a team takes a certain amount of circumstances that can be difficult,” he noted, firmly standing by his decision.
While Enrique did not elaborate on the specifics of the issue with Dembele, he reaffirmed his commitment to fostering team cohesion. “I am not going to dramatize the situation; there was no argument between the player and me. There was a matter of the player’s responsibility to the team,” he said.
PSG won their first Champions League match 1-0 against Girona, while Arsenal managed a goalless draw against Atalanta.