Paris Saint-Germain have received a timely boost ahead of their UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg showdown with Arsenal as winger Ousmane Dembélé has been declared fit to play. The French international, who scored the decisive goal in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, had picked up a muscle injury during the match but has since returned to full training with the squad.
PSG head coach Luis Enrique confirmed the development at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “He has been training with the squad for two days so he is available for tomorrow,” Enrique said. The return of Dembélé, whose direct play and pressing were instrumental in PSG’s 1-0 victory in London, gives the Parisians a critical attacking weapon as they aim to secure a place in their first Champions League final since 2020.
A New-Look PSG Built on Cohesion
While past PSG sides often relied heavily on superstar individuals, this season’s team reflects a new identity marked by collective discipline and tactical clarity. Luis Enrique, who took charge last summer, has focused on creating a cohesive unit capable of adapting to different game scenarios, especially on the European stage.
“This season we’ve grown so much as a team,” Enrique noted. “You have to be ready for any scenario and pay attention from start to finish. The target for the coming years is to keep improving the process.” The transformation has been gradual but effective, with PSG now appearing more structured and defensively sound — traits that were evident in their disciplined performance at the Emirates.
Tactical Discipline Stifled Arsenal in First Leg
PSG’s 1-0 win in North London was less about flair and more about control. The French champions employed a compact defensive shape, intense pressing in midfield, and intelligent possession play to stifle Mikel Arteta’s usually fluid Arsenal side. It was a performance that showcased tactical maturity, with Dembélé’s goal serving as a reward for their well-executed game plan.
Defender Achraf Hakimi highlighted the importance of team identity in their recent run. “The key is to show our personality with and without the ball and press high,” Hakimi explained. “Arsenal will need to feel that the Parc des Princes is our home.” PSG will be expected to replicate their first-leg intensity while adapting to Arsenal’s likely tactical adjustments.
High Stakes and Historical Pressure
This semifinal second leg carries immense significance for both clubs. PSG, despite their domestic dominance, have only reached one Champions League final in 2020, where they lost narrowly to Bayern Munich. Arsenal, on the other hand, have not been in a UCL final since 2006, when they fell to Barcelona — ironically, in Paris.
Luis Enrique is keenly aware of the stakes. “We will have to be as good as last week, but while many expect the same kind of game, I guarantee you it will be completely different,” he said. Arsenal are likely to approach the tie with more urgency, and PSG must brace for a more aggressive opponent looking to overturn the deficit.
Final Beckons in Munich
The winner of Wednesday night’s clash at the Parc des Princes will book a coveted spot in the Champions League final set for May 31 in Munich. There they will meet the victor of the other semifinal between Inter Milan and Barcelona, who face off later on Tuesday evening. For PSG, reaching the final would validate their season-long transformation, while for Arsenal, it would mark a historic step in Arteta’s rebuilding journey.
Regardless of the outcome, the return of Dembélé and the continued emergence of PSG as a tactical force signal a changing of the guard for a club long defined by star power rather than strategic prowess. Now, with unity and resilience at the core, they stand just 90 minutes away from a shot at European glory.
