With a spot in the Champions League final on the line, Arsenal travel to Paris to face PSG on May 7, trailing 0-1 from the first leg.
It’s a must-win game for Mikel Arteta’s side, but the Gunners’ hopes are hanging by a thread, that haven’t been helped with a number of fresh injuries to key players.
Arsenal will be without three of their regulars. Gabriel Magalhães, a defensive mainstay, underwent hamstring surgery in early April and is out for the remainder of the season.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, who had knee surgery in February, won’t return before autumn. Meanwhile, Kai Havertz is still recovering from a hamstring issue and while he is targeting a return later this month, won’t be fit to face PSG.
Captain Martin Ødegaard’s presence also remains doubtful. The midfielder, vital to Arsenal’s rhythm and creativity, limped off after assisting against Bournemouth on May 3.
Arteta deflected when asked post-match, saying he hadn’t yet spoken to doctors. Similarly, Dutch defender Jurrien Timber, who started the first leg, is a doubt for the Premier League side. He missed the Bournemouth clash after picking up a knock against PSG.
Arteta admitted, “At the moment, I’m not confident (about his presence for PSG clash). Today he wasn’t able to play and we’re playing again in four days. I can’t tell you more.
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While Thomas Partey will be back in midfield, Riccardo Calafiori has fitness concerns and didn’t face Bournemouth. Arteta has left the door open, but his return will depend on final training sessions. Jorginho is progressing in recovery but there has been no confirmation on his status.
What about PSG?
PSG, who edged the first leg with a solitary goal, have problems of their own.
Their match-winner Ousmane Dembele strained his hamstring last Tuesday and only returned to partial training on May 5. Dembele who returned to training completed only three of four drills set by Luis Enrique, as per RMC Sport.
While he’s expected to make the squad, a start remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Presnel Kimpembe is definitively out with a bone edema in his right foot.
Lee Kang-in is another doubt after taking a heavy blow to his shin during the weekend game against Strasbourg.
Though not considered serious, the South Korean hasn’t trained since and will face a fitness test on May 6 (Today). On the flip side, Lucas Hernandez could return to add defensive steel.
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