Arsenal have received a significant boost ahead of the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, with reports suggesting that PSG star Achraf Hakimi is 'unlikely' to start the match. The Gunners will face the French champions in next Saturday's showpiece event in Budapest, just days after being officially crowned Premier League champions.
Injury Concerns for PSG
Hakimi is not the only injury worry for PSG, as Ousmane Dembele is also in a race against time to be fit. Both players sat out an in-house friendly match on Saturday, sparking concerns over their availability for the final. PSG concluded their Ligue 1 campaign last weekend, giving them an extra week to prepare for the encounter with Arsenal.
According to L'Equipe, PSG participated in an internal friendly match on Saturday involving only squad players, but Dembele and Hakimi were notably absent. The report states that the game consisted of two 20-minute halves, with players instructed to avoid physical contact.
Hakimi's Recovery Progress
Hakimi was absent from the second leg of the Champions League semi-final victory over Bayern Munich and also missed PSG's final four Ligue 1 fixtures. He completed an individual training session instead of the internal friendly and is seemingly close to rejoining his teammates in full training. However, it is still considered 'unlikely' that the Morocco international will recover sufficiently to feature against Arsenal in the final. At best, he is expected to start from the bench.
When fit, Hakimi is PSG's first-choice right-back and has played 31 times this campaign. His expected absence could see midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery pressed into action at right-back, with Fabian Ruiz coming into midfield.
Dembele's Fitness Hopes
Dembele sat out the friendly fixture after being withdrawn during the first half of PSG's Ligue 1 curtain-closer against Paris FC last weekend. The Ballon d'Or winner did, however, confirm earlier this week that he still anticipates being fit to face Arsenal.
“I’m doing very well. I had a slight scare against Paris FC, but I’m fine and I’ll be ready for the final,” Dembele said. “Will I be 100 per cent for the final? Yes, I think so. Yes, I’ll be ready. I have no doubt about it. I hope to be on the pitch on May 30th.”
He added: “I've had so many minor scares or major injuries in my career, whether here at PSG or even before, especially with the big matches coming up, especially this final, I preferred to stop and above all not take any risks.”
Mikel Arteta's side overcame Atletico Madrid to secure their place in the final in Hungary, while PSG progressed past Bayern Munich to arrange the meeting with Arsenal. The Gunners will be hoping to capitalise on any potential absences in the PSG lineup as they aim for European glory.
