Arsenal and Liverpool target Ousmane Dembele backed by Gerard Pique after going AWOL
French ace failed to turn up to training last week and was dropped for the 4-3 win over Real Betis
GERARD PIQUE has defended team-mate Ousmane Dembele after the Barcelona flop went AWOL last week.
The Liverpool and Arsenal target, 21, was dropped for the clash against Real Betis because he failed to turn up to training.
Pique, who has achieved legendary status at the Nou Camp, believes that the 21-year-old needs some guidance to improve.
Speaking about the decision to drop him from the squad, the defender said: "It's a strategic decision but we're all here to help him out.
"He's young and got a lot of potential and I'm sure that [Valverde] has only left him out to work on other areas of his game.
"We've all been young and made errors, so from our experience we've got to help him realise that football is a 24 hour a day game - you've got to live and breathe it.
"I've got no doubt that he's going to improve and the coach's decisions will also help him."
After he missed training, the French star was found at his house and he said that he missed the session because of a stomach bug.
Dembele has struggled to live up to expectations at the Nou Camp following his sensational switch from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
And Valverde has already voiced his concerns about the 21-year-old's temper on the pitch.
The 54-year-old said: "Everyone loses the ball, the question is what you do after you lose it."
Dembele started the season well with three goals in his first four league games, but he now faces a big fight to get back into the first-team.
He has since been linked to Jurgen Klopp's side and the Gunners are reportedly monitoring him.