Mikel Arteta has made it clear that Arsenal will be fully prepared to face Paris Saint-Germain’s challenge on Tuesday evening, following the unexpected decision by the French champions to leave Ousmane Dembele out of their squad.
Dembele, the former Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona winger, will not travel to London after being dropped by manager Luis Enrique. Reports suggest that a heated exchange took place between the 27-year-old and Enrique after their recent 3-1 victory over Rennes.
Known for taking a firm stance on discipline, Enrique previously excluded both Dembele and PSG’s standout player Kylian Mbappe from a Toulouse trip due to their lackluster training efforts last season.
In light of Mbappe’s recent transfer to Real Madrid, Dembele has stepped up significantly, having netted four goals and provided four assists, helping PSG secure the top spot in Ligue 1 with five wins and a draw from their opening six matches.
However, Dembele’s absence will be felt in the Champions League encounter at the Emirates Stadium, a development that Arteta acknowledged during a press briefing on Monday morning. “We just got the news a moment ago,” he remarked. “I can’t confirm its validity, but we will prepare for all potential scenarios.”
Arteta, who began his playing career at PSG on loan during the 2001-02 season, expressed how the club will always remain close to his heart. “It’s very special to me,” he reflected. “They were the first club that gave me the chance to play professionally, and I have fond memories of the experiences and connections I made there. Going up against them holds significant meaning for me.”
As for PSG’s playing style, Arteta shared his thoughts: “They are formidable. They excel in every aspect of the game. Their strategy is clear; they control possession and are relentless when they lose the ball, retrieving it quickly. They play with intensity and confront their opponents head-on, which is indicative of Luis’s philosophy — that’s the hallmark of his teams.”
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