Nothing more that a rumor.
Emirates cancelled the A350 orders a few years ago, citing that the fleet requiremnts and demand did not justify the ac.
A year ago Clark quipped that he would have A350 vs B787 contest (likely for price) to fill the gap below the 777.
That was then this is now.
Emirates profit has plummited over 80% recently, and so has its maket share with competition.
The order will probably placed on price and availablity of the aircraft. The 777X is supposed to come online by 2020, so these delays may just be waiting for that ac rather than a either the 787 or 350 aircraft.
Dubai airshow in November should be interesting.
Not that my prefeerence means anything, but the A350 cabin and seats are much better than the B787. (and much quieter) The center overhead baggage on the 787 variants has been very noisey in every flight I have been on.
The wing flex on the 350 is far more stable on ARR/DEP, as the 788 wing flex appears to be more of an albatros attempting to take flight, the Lazy B beed to look at that...and the associated wing flex turbulence effect on the cabin seems less on the 350 vs 787