Arsenal set for double injury boost ahead of Champions League final against PSG
PSG will defend their Champions League crown against Arsenal next weekend (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal could be facing an understrength PSG side in next weekend’s Champions League final with doubts emerging over the fitness of two of the holders’ key players.
The Ligue 1 giants finished their domestic campaign last weekend a full fortnight ahead of the showpiece final in Budapest.
Described as Le Parisien as a ‘full-scale rehearsal’ for their meeting with the Gunners, the two teams played for just over in an hour in a high-intensity session.
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Two key players were, however, notable absentees in the shape of Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembele.
The Morocco international full-back has been out of action since suffering a thigh injury in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against PSG.
According to L’Équipe, their is now real concern Hakimi will be unable to start against Arsenal, while the doubt around Dembele will heighten if he is missing from Tuesday’s training session.
Enrique organised a special friendly match at the PSG training ground (Picture: Getty Images)
The Ballon d’Or holder attempted to downplay concerns of his availability by issuing an upbeat injury update.
He said: ‘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,’ he told RMC Sport.
‘Will I be 100% for the final? Yes, yes, I think so, yes, I’ll be ready. I have no doubt about it, I hope to be on the pitch on May 30.’
Dembele came off in the final game of the season (Picture: Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
Arsenal, too, have injury concerns particularly at right-back where Ben White is out for the season and Jurrien Timber still recovering from the groin strain which has ruled him out of action since early March.
Mikel Merino, however, is close to making his return having taken part in first team training earlier this week.
The Spain international has been out of action since January with a serious foot injury that threatened his participation at the World Cup.
Merino is expected to play some part this afternoon as the Gunners finish their Premier League campaign at Crystal Palace.
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