PSG counts on Ousmane Dembele to shine in their Champions League-half final against Arsenal, although the Frenchman fought a problem in his recent games
Arsenal icon Emmanuel Petit jumped to defend Ousmane Dembele in the midst of the difficult form of the PSG star. Dembele was one of the stars of Luis Enrique this season when they stormed to the Ligue 1 title.
They have also reached the semi -final of the Champions League, where they will be confronted with the Gunners. But on the way to the first stage of next week at the Emirates Stadium, Dembele has reached a score problem.
Dembele's fourth consecutive game without goal was on Tuesday evening with Nantes. The Frenchman only had one shot on goal and only two details in the Nantes box before she was immersed just after the hour.
It is the worst drought that Dembele has experienced since December and has come for PSG at the worst possible time. With the Ligue 1 title packed, their full focus is on winning the Champions League for the first time.
Arsenal represents a discouraging challenge, in which the side of Mikel Arteta has only lost one game in the competition phase and Knockouts together. But Petit, who spent three years with the Gunners, does not believe that Dembele's struggles to score worry.
“There is no let-up! In the quarter-finals of the Champions League he was decisive and offered the assist in both games. I don't know what you expect,” Podcast Rothen S'enflamme said.
“What are you waiting for? To score, to make assists and win every game on his own? Even two weeks ago he was not decisive against Aston Villa. Now we are only talking about the match against Nantes … I also heard that out of bed on other shows.”
Petit's confidence seems well placed, with Dembele scored 32 goals and has cut 11 assists in all competitions. Before PSG travels to Arsenal, PSG first organizes Nice in the Parc des Princes.
It is currently unknown whether Boss Enrique will let one of his players rest for that game. But after he was questioned with Nantes about Dembele's form after the draw with Nantes, the PSG boss gave an angry limp on the criticism of the attacker.
“My goal as a coach is that my players are at their best.” Said Enrique. “Sometimes you come up with stories, ask Ousmane. Everyone manages his emotions as well as possible, as well as they know how and as well they want.
“Whether a player is more or less frustrated after a match, I don't care. It is always difficult to play away from home, especially in a stadium like here in Nantes, with a great atmosphere.
“We are happy, but at the same time we have made a few mistakes and have benefited Nantes to score their goal. Ultimately it is a draw and we have to continue. We have to rest now and concentrate on Friday, because that will be a completely different game.”