Ousmane Dembélé Excluded by PSG Against Arsenal, Boosts Season Performance

Ousmane Dembélé’s transformation under Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has become a defining storyline ahead of the Champions League semifinal against Arsenal. Once criticized for inconsistency and dropped from the squad earlier in the season due to disciplinary issues, Dembélé’s exclusion is now seen as a turning point that led to a renewed focus and improved performances. Enrique’s bold tactical choice to move Dembélé into a central attacking role has paid off, with the Frenchman scoring prolifically in both Ligue 1 and Europe, making him a serious contender for the Ballon d'Or. His early goal against Arsenal exemplified PSG’s aggressive, fast-start approach and capped his evolution from a maligned figure to a dominant force. Arsenal defender William Saliba noted the difficulty of marking Dembélé, whose movement and versatility make him a constant threat. This resurgence has been widely recognized by commentators and internally at PSG as pivotal in reshaping the team’s season and European ambitions.