UCL: Dembele back to training ahead of Arsenal clash

Paris Saint-Germain are optimistic that Ousmane Dembele will be available for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Arsenal after the Frenchman returned to team training on Monday.

Arsenal are facing a potential nightmare as Ousmane Dembele is poised to return in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Frenchman, who netted the only goal in the first leg at the Emirates, was forced off early after straining his right hamstring.

Dembele consequently missed PSG’s 3-1 defeat to Strasbourg, but there is now optimism he could be available at the Parc des Princes. According to French outlet ‘L’Equipe’, Dembele returned to team training earlier on Monday, boosting the Parisians’ hopes with just over two days to go until the showdown.

Dembele has been central to PSG’s resurgence under Luis Enrique in 2025, contributing 33 goals and 11 assists across all competitions. The news is a blow for the Gunners, who will have to keep the former Barca star at bay to secure their chances of reaching the Champions League final for the first time since 2006.

The north London side are heavily exposed in defence, with Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Takehiro Tomiyasu all missing through injury. Mikel Arteta also revealed that Jurrien Timber was a doubt for the second leg after he sat out Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth due to an injury.