Ousmane Dembélé Injury Concern Deepens as PSG Star Misses Training Before Arsenal Showdown
Ousmane Dembélé injury concern Depeens as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) faces a tense wait for the fitness of Ousmane Dembélé, who is racing against time to recover for the crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal at Parc des Princes.
Dembélé was instrumental in PSG’s 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium, scoring the only goal of the match in the fourth minute. However, his night was cut short when he complained of discomfort in his right hamstring in the 70th minute, forcing manager Luis Enrique to substitute him for Bradley Barcola. Enrique confirmed that Dembélé had sustained a minor muscle problem, but admitted that his availability for the return leg remained uncertain.
Concerns about Dembélé’s fitness grew after he missed PSG’s training session on Thursday, prompting speculation that he may be rested for the upcoming Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg to focus on recovery. Reports from RMC Sport suggest that PSG is not willing to take any risks, and the club has remained tight-lipped about the results of his medical tests.
Dembélé has been a key figure for PSG this season, scoring eight goals in the Champions League and 33 across all competitions, along with three assists in Europe. His absence could significantly impact PSG’s attacking strategy, especially against an Arsenal side eager to overturn their first-leg deficit.
PSG wing-back Achraf Hakimi expressed optimism about Dembélé’s recovery, stating that his teammate was calm despite the uncertainty surrounding his fitness.
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate his squad for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Bournemouth, with key players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and William Saliba likely to be rested. The Gunners will also welcome back Thomas Partey, who missed the first leg due to suspension.
With the return leg fast approaching, PSG fans will be hoping that Dembélé can recover in time to help secure their place in the Champions League final.
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