IT might be advantage Arsenal in the Champions League final as Paris Saint Germain star Ousmane Dembele had to come off just 30 minutes into the Paris derby this evening.
The Ballon d’Or holder went straight down the tunnel after being replaced by Goncalo Ramos in the 28th minute of PSG‘s dramatic 2-1 loss to city rivals Paris FC.
According to the commentators Dembele was heard saying that it was “a bit tough” and that he hadn’t “exploded” as he left the pitch.
PSG fans will be hoping it’s just a precaution for their star man – they won’t fancy another hammer blow after rivals Paris FC nicked victory in the 93rd minute after equalising 15 minutes from time.
Dembele, who has only started 11 league games this season, won the Ligue 1 Player of the Year last week.
He’s scored ten goals in 22 league appearances, recording seven assists.
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The Parisians sealed the title last Wednesday as they swept aside second-placed Lens by two goals to nil.
And after beating Bayern Munich 6-5 on aggregate in an action-packed tie, Luis Enrique‘s team’s final assignment of the season will be maintaining their European crown.
But without talisman Dembele it could be significantly more difficult.
The Frenchman has scored seven goals on Europe’s biggest stage this term, with six of them coming in the knockout stage across all rounds.
He scored one against two-time winners Chelsea in the last 16 and two against six-time European champions Liverpool and Bayern in the quarters and semis.
So if he’s fit, the devastating forward will be hoping to continue his prolific record in the latter stages of the tournament.
However an injury to Dembele would be news welcomed by Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, who must find a formula to prevent the French flyers going back-to-back.
Arsenal’s perfect and unbeaten league stage handed them a more favourable route to the final as they beat Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting and Atletico Madrid in their path to facing the holders.
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