Paris Saint-Germain is facing uncertainty over Ousmane Dembélé's availability for their pivotal Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal, following a hamstring injury. The French forward, who scored the decisive goal in PSG's 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium, is a key player for Luis Enrique's side, making his fitness a major concern ahead of the return leg at the Parc des Princes on May 8.
In a pre-match press conference ahead of PSG's Ligue 1 clash against Strasbourg, Enrique confirmed that Dembélé was recovering from a right hamstring strain, but offered little clarity on whether he would be fit in time for the crucial Champions League tie. Enrique stated, "Ousmane Dembele has strained his right hamstring. His condition is progressing well. A further assessment will be carried out shortly... Tomorrow he won't play, that's for sure. We're going to do what we've been doing up to now, with the same idea. Nothing has changed."
While PSG have already wrapped up the Ligue 1 title, their attention now turns to the Champions League, where they have a slim advantage over an Arsenal side brimming with confidence after eliminating Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. The Gunners remain one of the strongest contenders for the title, and without Dembélé, PSG may miss his explosive speed and playmaking ability, both of which have been crucial in their European campaign.
Despite PSG’s depth in attacking options, Dembélé’s absence could leave a significant gap in their offensive line. His ability to create and finish chances in high-pressure situations would undoubtedly be missed as PSG aim to secure their first-ever European crown. The team will have to rely on their bench strength to cover for his absence, but the next few days of assessments will be crucial in determining whether Dembélé can feature in what promises to be a thrilling encounter against Arsenal.
