Arsenal’s chances of lifting a one-goal deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in France in France next week was reinforced by the commitment of Ousmane Dembele.
The new productive striker swept PSG on Tuesday evening in the first stage of her semi -final in the Champions League in a lead against the Gunners in the fourth minute. This bobbling effort was Dembeles 33rd goal of the season and its 25th from 2025.
Apart from his relentless ending, Dembele terrorized the arsenal by devastating deeply and in the doubts that existed between the backline and the midfield of the hosts. It was no coincidence that Mikel Arteta’s team was replaced in the 69th minute after PSG’s scorer had been replaced.
The PSG boss Luis Enrique then confirmed that the removal from Dembele was due to a problem with the thigh. When the Spanish manager was asked about his team’s 1-0 win after his team’s 1-0 win, he shrugged to the shoulders: “I don’t know.
“He will go through tests tomorrow. It’s not serious. It’s something very small, but he’s probably a doubt about the second leg.”
“We will try to bring Dembele back on the pitch,” continued Enrique. “But we are a real team. If Ousmane can play, that’s better. But if he doesn’t, we will still be a real team. We have said that since the beginning of the season.”
After the departures of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, which ended what the PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi described as the “Bling Bling”-Aera of the club, Enrique made a clear attempt to capture a team without stars. Dembele may be the leading goal scorer, but Bradley Barcola (18), Goncalo Ramos (15) and Desire Doue (14) have reached all double digits this season.
Arsenal knows only too well the tribute that can have injuries in the team. Areta accused the defeat on Tuesday this season on the ruinous fitness record of his team in comparison to PSG’s outstanding state of health. “It is clear,” sighed the Gunners boss. “They run with all players and the squad that is available from their best side until the end of the season in April.”
Areta still hopes to lift the 1-0 deficit in France on Wednesday, May 7th, and Arsenal can the fact that PSG’s last home game ended with a 3-1 defeat against Nice. But even without Dembele, Areteta admitted that “something special” for Arsenal for the Champions League final this season will be received.