Is PSG’s Hakimi Right About Dembele’s Genius on the Ball as He Returns for the Arsenal Clash?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ousmane Dembele's return is crucial for PSG.
- Dembele is PSG's leading scorer with 33 goals this season.
- PSG holds a slight edge with a 1-0 lead from the first leg.
- Arsenal is known for their ability to create upsets in big matches.
- Coach Luis Enrique emphasizes the need to stay true to PSG's philosophy.
Paris, May 6 (NationPress) Paris Saint Germain's head coach Luis Enrique has announced that Ousmane Dembele will feature in the lineup against Arsenal for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
Currently, Arsenal is one goal behind PSG, following Dembele’s stunning strike from outside the box in the fourth minute, which led to a 1-0 victory for the Ligue 1 champions in North London.
The French forward has been a key player for Paris St-Germain this season, netting 33 goals across all competitions. After sustaining a hamstring injury during the previous match against Arsenal, he showed promising signs of recovery during the training session on Tuesday.
"He has been practicing with us for the last two days. As you saw on Tuesday, it was a standard training session for him. He will be ready for Wednesday," Enrique stated during the pre-match press conference.
Achraf Hakimi, PSG’s attacking wingback, praised Dembele, labeling him a genius on the ball and expressing his excitement about the player's return.
"He is the kind of player who draws fans to the stadium because of his brilliance on the ball, even with few opportunities. He has the ability to alter the game's outcome, so we are thrilled to have him back in our squad," Hakimi remarked.
With the matchup finely balanced, PSG holds a slight edge over Arsenal. Dembele's early goal in London has brought Paris within reach of only their second final in history.
Despite their lead, the French champions must remain vigilant. Arsenal is known for their unpredictability and ability to stage upsets in critical matches, and they could equalize early, shifting the game’s momentum.
Enrique further elaborated on the challenges his team might face during the clash.
"We must be prepared to endure pressure at certain moments in this match, as our opponents are chasing a favorable result. It will resemble the first leg, a balanced contest. It is crucial for us to replicate our performance from the first leg and stay committed to the philosophy that has brought us this far," said the Spanish head coach.