Arsenal could be boosted by key PSG injury for second leg

Speculation emerged regarding a potential hamstring injury Ousmane Dembele sustained during Tuesday night's 1-0 win at the Emirates, but Arsenal will likely face up against the first-leg match-winner in Paris.

Dembele struck the game's decisive blow just four minutes into the first leg of Arsenal's first Champions League semi-final in 16 years, with the Gunners requiring a comeback triumph at Parc des Princes to make the final.

PSG were ever so impressive in north London, and false nine Dembele was key to their success in the opening 30 minutes. His clinical first-time finish was his 33rd goal of the season in all competitions, with Luis Enrique maximising the Frenchman's maverick talent from a false nine role in 2025.

The Gunners struggled to contain the marauding Frenchman, who also created a good second-half chance for Achraf Hakimi only for the Moroccan to be brilliantly denied by William Saliba. Dembele was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining, and reports broke of a potential hamstring injury post-match

Ousmane Dembele's hamstring injury is 'nothing serious'

Arsenal are in need of some good fortune, and there's no overlooking that Dembele's absence for the return leg would be significant.

After the match, RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins bluntly said that the forward "has a hamstring injury" and would be "monitored in the coming days". Now, that would suggest something fairly serious, but any hope - from a cynical perspective, it must be said - that Dembele would miss next Wednesday's all-important second leg was quickly squashed.

Enrique suggested that while the Frenchman has a "niggle", he also noted that his injury was "nothing serious". Hakimi echoed a similar sentiment in his post-match interview, while Dembele (via Hawkins) said: "It's going to be fine," before boarding the PSG bus out of the Emirates.

Arsenal will thus be expected to face this supreme PSG team with their leading goalscorer in attack next week. Enrique will undoubtedly make wholesale changes to his starting XI for their Ligue 1 clash at Strasbourg on Saturday, and Mikel Arteta will do the same as Bournemouth visit the Emirates.

The Gunners have seen Liverpool claim the Premier League title, but they could do with a few more points to guarantee a top-five finish. With games at Anfield and against Newcastle still to come, Saturday is a pretty important game for Arteta's side. Win, and they should be okay,

Nevertheless, there's no denying that the boss will be conjuring up plans regarding the containment of this Parisian juggernaut at the Parc des Princes while preparing for the Cherries' visit.

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS HERE!