Luis Enrique breaks silence on bold Ousmane Dembele decision as PSG plans for Arsenal dashed

Arsenal have been handed a significant boost before their big European night against Paris Saint-Germain amid emerging news that Luis Enrique has dropped Ousmane Dembele from his matchday squad.

The prolific forward has bagged four goals in six domestic matches for PSG and played a part in their Champions League opener win over Girona. However, ahead of the London showdown, PSG's head coach Enrique confirmed that the influential 27-year-old French star won't be part of the action against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Dembele's absence comes after reports from France hinted trouble was brewing - between player and manager - when Dembele was pulled from the field during PSG's recent win over Rennes. In his pre-match press conference, held at the Emirates Stadium, Enrique went all-in on the player.

He said: "If someone doesn't comply or respect the expectations of the team, it means they are not prepared to play. The match [vs Arsenal] is very important and I want all my players to be ready so, as a consequence, I've left him [Dembele] out. I want the best for my team and that's my job.

"These circumstances are difficult and you have to take difficult decisions. I'm 100 per cent engaged [behind] in my decision and 100 per cent sure of the decision I have made."

Enrique continued: "It doesn't mean this is irreversible, but I made the best decision for the team and that's 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.

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"I have the support of the club's president and the sporting director. I'm here to create our team and, in the future, that might include Ousmane Dembele, just to be clear."

When asked about the altercation with Dembele, Enrique replied: "I'm very honest and I will be honest, but I'm not going to create a soap opera out of this.

"There are no problems between us. That's completely false. This is simply about the responsibilities of the player."