Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 8y

Edinson Cavani in line for praise from PSG players, boss and chief executive

Paris Saint-Germain chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi hailed Edinson Cavani after the Uruguayan striker scored a first half quadruple as the French champions smashed SM Caen 6-0 for their first Ligue 1 win in three matches on Friday.

The Qatari, 42, admitted his "relief" for the player and called the PSG No. 9 "a great goal scorer and a top striker."

"I believe in him," Al-Khelaifi told Canal+ shortly after the match at Stade Michel d'Ornano. "Today he responded to his critics, he said 'I am here, I am Edinson Cavani and I will score." Tonight was the beginning for Cavani this season."

Despite an impressive win and Cavani's return to form, the absence of Hatem Ben Arfa from Unai Emery's squad still attracted a lot of attention post-game and Al-Khelaifi insisted "there are no problems" with the France international.

"The coach picked the players for the match and he did not choose Hatem," Al-Khelaifi said. "For me, that is normal. The coach decides and it is up to him if Hatem or another player misses out.

"He [Emery] always thinks of the team. It is the coach who picks the players, not me! I am with the coach on this, as are the club. These are his choices and we accept them."

Emery himself was a happy man at full time in Caen and PSG's Spanish tactician admitted three points on the road gave his players "a sense of validation of their progress made lately."

"A response? No this was not a response to recent results," Emery said. "I work and I am happy for the team. We did not concede a goal, which was also important. The team displayed the mentality we want. There was intensity, consistency and we were a solid unit."

Young Adrien Rabiot shone in midfield once again and the Frenchman is quickly becoming an established starter under Emery. The 21-year-old called the 6-0 win "our best performance of the season so far" and a "good way to bounce back after Arsenal."

"We played better, we were more clinical in front of goal," Rabiot said. "We did not concede, which was also good. This is the true face of PSG and we must make sure things stay this way.

"A turning point? Yes but I think Arsenal was already that in terms of performance. We must continue. Today was a positive sign."

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