Ousmane Dembele’s chances of playing for Paris Saint-Germain in next week’s Champions League semi-final against Arsenal are considered “very small” after the French winger was forced off with an injury during the first leg at the Emirates.
Dembele, who has been in sensational form this season, scoring his 33rd goal to put PSG 1-0 ahead in the tie, limped off midway through the second half in London. PSG head coach Luis Enrique acknowledged that Dembele’s availability for the return leg in Paris is in doubt, with the player missing PSG’s Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg on Friday.
A statement from the club indicated that Dembele’s condition was “progressing well,” but further assessments will be needed in the coming days. PSG have just five days to make a final decision, and with such a quick turnaround, the risk of rushing him back may be too high.
Stephen Smith, CEO of Kitman Labs, a company specializing in injury welfare and performance analytics, believes it’s unlikely Dembele will be fit to start against Arsenal. “Even if it’s a minor hamstring injury, the chances of him playing within a week are very slim,” Smith explained. “You’re looking at a high-risk scenario, especially with a player who has been key to their success this season.”
Smith emphasized that PSG’s medical team would likely avoid the temptation to rush Dembele back for such an important match. “Throwing him in too soon could risk a more serious injury, which would be a much longer setback,” he said. “The decision will come down to whether the medical staff feels confident in his recovery. It’s not just about how important the game is.”
PSG have already wrapped up the French Ligue 1 title, so their full focus is now on winning the Champions League. With nothing else to play for, there may be a temptation to push Dembele back into action, but the high stakes of the competition will make it unlikely PSG take unnecessary risks with their star forward’s fitness.
In the coming days, PSG’s medical staff will likely have to weigh up the risks carefully, as they make their final decision ahead of the crucial semi-final clash with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.