UCL Final: Dembele, Hakimi Return As PSG Name Squad For Arsenal Showdown

Paris Saint-Germain have received a timely injury boost ahead of Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal after naming both Ousmane Dembele and Achraf Hakimi in their travelling squad.

The inclusion of the influential duo will come as welcome news for PSG manager Luis Enrique, with both players having faced late fitness concerns before European club football’s biggest occasion.

Hakimi has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during the first leg of PSG’s semi-final clash against Bayern Munich, while Dembele picked up a knock during the Ligue 1 season finale against Paris FC. Their selection now strongly suggests they will be available for the final.

Hakimi remains a key figure for the Paris club and etched his name into Champions League history last season when he opened the scoring in PSG’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in Munich to secure the club’s maiden European crown.

Arsenal, however, will be determined to deny the French champions back-to-back titles. The Gunners head into the final brimming with confidence after securing the Premier League title less than a week ago and now have their sights set on completing a memorable double.

Mikel Arteta’s side have also received encouraging news on the injury front, with Dutch defender Jurrien Timber returning to training and included in the squad travelling to Hungary. Timber has been absent since March with a hamstring injury sustained against Everton, missing 14 matches in all competitions.

PSG winger Bradley Barcola warned Arsenal that the reigning champions remain united and highly motivated.

“It’s a great honour to be playing in a second final,” Barcola told club media.

“We’re going to do everything we can to win it. We attack together and defend together, and that collective spirit is our greatest strength.”

The final also carries an element of unfinished business for Arsenal, who were eliminated by PSG in last season’s semi-finals after a 3-1 aggregate defeat.