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Arsenal receive crucial PSG fitness update ahead of Champions League final in Budapest
Deepa Krishnaswamy | May 22, 2026 8:41 AM CST

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain appear set to welcome back several key players for next week’s Champions League final showdown in Budapest.

The most recent Ballon d’Or winner, Ousmane Dembele, was forced off in the first half of PSG’s 2-1 defeat to city rivals Paris FC last weekend. The French winger headed straight down the tunnel for treatment after feeling discomfort in his right calf.

Supporters grew concerned when Dembele was absent from Wednesday’s training session. However, the forward has since reassured fans that he will be fit in time for what is arguably the biggest match of PSG’s season.

Speaking to RMC Sport, Dembele said: “I’m doing very well. I had a small scare against Paris FC, but I’m fine and I’ll be ready for the final.”

He added: “Will I be 100 per cent for the final? Yes, I think so. Yes, I’ll be ready. I have no doubt about it. I hope to be on the pitch on May 30th.”

Calf problems have already disrupted Dembele’s campaign, with the France international featuring for only 1,062 minutes in Ligue 1 as PSG secured their fifth consecutive domestic crown.

The ex-Barcelona attacker has suffered two separate calf injuries earlier this season, and along with a bout of illness, those setbacks forced him to miss 19 matches for the Paris giants.

Dembele, 28, clarified that his substitution against Paris FC was purely precautionary given his previous injury record. He stated: “I’ve had so many small scares or major injuries in my career, whether here at PSG or before. With the big matches coming up, especially this final, I decided to stop and not take any risks.”

While Arsenal have a relatively meaningless Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace this weekend following their title win earlier in the week, PSG have no scheduled matches before the final.

This has created a two-week break between their last Ligue 1 outing and the Champions League final, leaving head coach Luis Enrique responsible for maintaining the squad’s fitness and sharpness.

Enrique said at a press conference on Wednesday: “The program is not yet fully finalised. We’ll do a bit of everything. Rest as well, because that’s important. We should also play a small friendly match among ourselves.”

PSG have been further boosted by the return of defenders Nuno Mendes and Willian Pacho to light team training. Both players have been sidelined since PSG sealed their place in the Champions League final with a win over Bayern Munich on May 6.

Mendes and Pacho have each missed three consecutive fixtures, including PSG’s 2-0 victory over Lens that clinched the Ligue 1 title.

Right-back Achraf Hakimi did not train with the main group, but his recovery from a hamstring problem is progressing well. He is expected to be available for the Champions League final after returning to individual training sessions.

Squad players Lucas Chevalier and Quentin Ndjanto are also nearing full fitness after minor injuries, though neither is likely to start in next Saturday’s final.


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