Luis Enrique accuses Ousmane Dembele of lacking 'respect' as PSG boss explains decision to drop French winger from Champions League squad to face Arsenal

The Ligue 1 title holders are set to face Premier League giants in Champions League competition on Tuesday. Paris Saint-Germain have made the trip to north London without World Cup winner Dembele forming part of their plans.

He has scored four goals this season, and figured in PSG’s latest outing against Rennes, but now finds himself on the outside looking in. Luis Enrique has told reporters when asked about Dembele’s absence: “If someone doesn’t comply or respect the expectations of the team, it means they are not prepared to play. The match 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 Dembele, just to be clear.”

Luis Enrique added on reports of clashing with Dembele behind the scenes, leading to the France international being overlooked: “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.”

After facing Arsenal in continental action, PSG will return to domestic duty on Sunday when taking in a trip to Nice – with it yet to be determined whether Dembele will be welcomed back into the fold for that contest.