Dembele out of Arsenal clash; Sergio Rico joins Al-Gharafa

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the absence of winger Ousmane Dembélé for the Matchday Two Champions League clash against Arsenal.

Dembélé has been an important player in the French championship that currently sits top of Ligue 1.

The France international featured in all of the six Les Parisiens league games, scoring four goals and registering four assists.

In their last game on Friday at the Park Des Princes against Stade Rennais on Friday evening, he started and registered an assist during the 3-1 victory.

With no injury concern for the Frenchman, L’Équipe on Monday reported that the former Barcelona winger had a heated argument with manager Luis Enrique following that win over Rennes, making the Spaniard leave Dembélé out of the squad to face Arsenal for disciplinary reasons.

In a related development, former PSG goalkeeper  Sergio Rico has joined Qatari club Al-Gharafa SC on a free transfer. 

Rico was involved in a near-fatal accident when he was on a pilgrimage in Spain in May last year. A horse trampled on his head and neck, leaving him with severe injuries.

The situation left him in an induced coma for 19 days, and further received intensive care for over a month.

The adamant goalie was released from hospital in August 2023, vowing to return to football.

Having been given the green light to return to the field in April this year but did not make another appearance for PSG, the club allowed his contract to expire without opening negotiation for an extension.

Having been out of action for over a year, the former Sevilla goalie will finally return to the field after a lengthy absence. He now looks to Qatar to return to the field, having not played since a loan spell at RCD Mallorca in May 2022.