Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) winger Ousmane Dembele was left out of the squad following a dispute with head coach Luis Enrique.
Click here for more football news and updates.
Check out M88 Mansion’s best offers here.
Dispute between Enrique, Dembele
French media reported that Dembele, 27, had a row with Luis Enrique following PSG’s 3-1 victory over Rennes on Friday.
The French international did not travel to London for PSG’s Champions League match against Arsenal.
“If someone doesn’t comply or respect the expectations of the team, it means they are not prepared to play,” Enrique said.
“The match tomorrow is very important and 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% engaged with my decision, and 100% sure of the decision I have made. 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.”
“I was also hired to win titles. I cannot guarantee that. But I can guarantee the rest, which is playing with a strong identity. The day I cannot do this I will go home. I have the support of the club’s president and the sporting director. I am here to create a team and in the future that might include Ousmane Dembélé, just to be clear.”
“No problem between us”
Despite the heated argument, Enrique downplayed the situation, saying that there is “no problem” between him and the player.
“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,” he said.
Arsenal host PSG at the Emirates on Tuesday in the second round of the Champions League.
