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Arsenal have been dealt a serious increase on the eve of their Champions League conflict in opposition to Paris St Germain after Luis Enrique confirmed Ousmane Dembele has been axed from his squad.
Dembele has scored 4 instances in six Ligue 1 matches for PSG this season and performed within the French membership’s Champions League opening-match win in opposition to Girona earlier this month.
However boss Enrique revealed the 27-year-old France worldwide, seen because the membership’s largest asset within the post-Kylian Mbappe period, has not travelled to London.
It was reported within the French media that Dembele had a disagreement with Enrique following PSG’s 3-1 win in opposition to Rennes on Friday evening. Enrique substituted Dembele with eight minutes remaining.
Talking on the Emirates Stadium on Monday, PSG supervisor Enrique stated: “If somebody doesn’t comply or respect the expectations of the group, it means they aren’t ready to play.
“The match tomorrow is essential and I need all my gamers to be prepared, in order a consequence I’ve left him (Dembele) out. I need the very best for my group and that’s my job.
“These circumstances are tough and it’s a must to take tough choices. However I’m 100 per cent engaged with my resolution, and 100 per cent positive of the choice I’ve made.
“It doesn’t imply that is irreversible, however I took the very best resolution for the group and that’s the reason I signed right here, to create a group that has a powerful identification and has plenty of character.
“I used to be additionally employed to win titles. I can not assure that. However I can assure the remainder, which is taking part in with a powerful identification. The day I can not do that I’ll go dwelling.
“I’ve the help of the membership’s president and the sporting director. I’m right here to create a group and sooner or later which may embody Ousmane Dembele, simply to be clear.”
Requested to elucidate the altercation with Dembele, Enrique replied: “I’m very sincere and I can be sincere, however I’m not going to create a cleaning soap opera out of this.
“There aren’t any issues between us. That’s fully false. That is merely concerning the obligations of the participant.”
Away from Dembele’s exile, Enrique moved to reward Mikel Arteta, hailing his former Barcelona team-mate as among the best managers in world soccer.
“I spent a season with him at Barcelona,” added Enrique. “He was a really younger participant, however he was within the first-team squad.
“He has had an excellent begin to his teaching profession and it will likely be an excellent pleasure to talk to him tomorrow, even whether it is only for 5 minutes earlier than the beginning of the sport.
“He is without doubt one of the finest coaches available on the market in the meanwhile. He modified Arsenal’s fortunes from a considerably winless streak to among the best groups on the planet that’s competing for titles.
“I’d go so far as to say they’re the very best group in Europe taking part in with out the ball. He is a superb coach and an excellent particular person.”