Ousmane Dembele's Injury Poses Doubt For PSG In Champions League Semi-Final Return Against Arsenal

Add as a preferred source on Google

Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele, who scored the decisive goal in their 1-0 win against Arsenal, may miss the second leg due to a suspected hamstring injury. The Champions League semi-final first leg saw Dembele score early at the Emirates Stadium. PSG's goal involved 26 passes, marking a record for them in the competition since 2003-04.

Dembele has been prolific this season, netting 33 goals across all competitions in Europe's top five leagues. Only Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe have scored more. In 2025 alone, Dembele has scored 25 goals, surpassing any other player by at least five goals during that period.

Despite Dembele's potential absence, PSG manager Luis Enrique remains optimistic about their chances in the return leg at Parc des Princes. He expressed confidence in his team's ability to perform without Dembele if necessary. "We're going to try to get Dembele back on the pitch," Enrique stated. "But we're a real team. If Ousmane can play, that's better. But if he doesn't, we'll still be a real team."

Enrique added that while Dembele's injury is minor, it makes him doubtful for the next match. "I don't know," he said when asked about the injury's extent. "He'll undergo tests tomorrow. It's not serious; it's something very minor."

This victory marked PSG's first-ever win over Arsenal in their Champions League encounters after failing to win any of their previous five meetings with the Gunners. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma played a crucial role by making key saves to maintain a clean sheet.

PSG missed opportunities to extend their lead further, with Goncalo Ramos notably hitting the crossbar. Despite this narrow advantage, Enrique remains confident that his team will find a way to reach the final.

Building on Early Success

The early goal was pivotal for PSG's confidence in such an intense atmosphere at Arsenal's home ground. "We showed our mentality every day," Enrique told Canal+. "It was a very emotional match. It's difficult to play in this incredible atmosphere."

Enrique emphasised the importance of controlling the game and capitalising on home advantage in Paris for the second leg. "We have to think about controlling the match," he said. "We have to play at home with the fans; we'll be ready."

As PSG prepares for their next challenge against Arsenal, they aim to build on their current lead and secure a place in the final despite potential setbacks from injuries.