PSG sweats over fitness issues ahead of UCL final

Arsenal may have received an early boost ahead of next weekend’s Champions League final, with fresh doubts emerging over Achraf Hakimi’s suitability for Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners are gearing up for one of the biggest games in their modern history as they prepare to take on PSG at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Saturday 30 May.

Arsenal are already riding a wave of confidence after winning the Premier League title, but this latest injury update from the PSG camp could give Mikel Arteta’s side even more encouragement.

As reported by L’Equipe (via CaughtOffside), Hakimi is increasingly unlikely to start in the Champions League final after missing another important part of PSG’s preparations.

The Moroccan international did not participate in an internal training match with squad players this weekend, but instead continued with individual work while recovering from a quadriceps problem.

That’s a pretty important thing. Hakimi is not just a normal PSG full-back. It is one of his most dangerous exits, especially when he pushes high on the right side and combines with the forwards.

His pace, recovery speed and attacking timing make him an important weapon, so even if he makes the bench, not starting would be a blow for Luis Enrique.

Read also: PSG was scary last year and continues to be scary this year: Saliba admits

Worry doesn’t come out of nowhere either. Hakimi has already missed PSG’s Champions League semi-final second leg and their last four Ligue 1 games, so this is clearly not a minor problem that disappeared overnight.

Reports suggest he is making progress, but the final may come too soon for him to begin.

If left out of the XI, Warren Zaire-Emery could be used at right back, with Fabián Ruiz in midfield.

Ousmane Dembélé is another name that Arsenal fans have been following closely.

The French winger also missed the internal session, but his situation seems more positive.

He recently suffered calf discomfort against Paris FC, although he has publicly insisted that he hopes to be ready for the final.

Reuters reported that PSG were planning a treatment for the problem, while Luis Enrique described it as possibly related to fatigue.