Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi has been dealing with injury in the lead up to the Champions League final against Arsenal
Achraf Hakimi has been named in Morocco’s World Cup squad as he pushes to return from injury for the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. The right-back has missed the last month with a thigh issue, but both he and Ousmane Dembele are on track to return this weekend.
The latter was withdrawn early into PSG’s Ligue 1 clash against Paris FC earlier this month due to a calf issue. In recent days, Dembele has issued multiple positive updates which saw most of the concern surround Hakimi.
However, according to French outlet Yabiladi, he was in full team training on Tuesday after the squad were granted a few days off. An internal friendly was played prior to that and though Dembele did not feature, he was quick to provide another hopeful update.
“I’m feeling much better than on Sunday,” Dembele said in an interview with M6. “I had a minor scare, but the doctor told me there’s nothing to worry about.
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He added: “It’s my calf; I had a slight twinge in my calf and I preferred not to take the risk.”
The Ballon D’or winner has since been included in France’s World Cup squad with Hakimi’s inclusion for Morocco suggesting there are no long-term concerns.
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However, Luis Enrique will want him fit and firing in just a few days as PSG prepare to defend their trophy against Arsenal, who they beat in the semi-finals of last season’s competition. It remains unclear if he will be able to start which could see Warren Zaire-Emery moved back from midfield.
Arteta has his own injury concerns at right-back with Jurrien Timber yet to return from a muscular problem that has kept him out since mid-March. Cristhian Mosquera is the most likely option to be deployed in that position if he cannot recover with Ben White also out injured.
On a positive note, Mikel Merino was a welcome sight off the bench against Crystal Palace after nearly five months out but there was still no spot for Timber in the squad.
Noni Madueke also emerged as an injury doubt over the weekend after being forced off with a potential hamstring issue at Selhurst Park.
However, he was moving freely during their title celebrations and looks set to be involved on Saturday with his substitution a precautionary one.
The likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and David Raya should be fully rested having not featured against Palace while Gabriel Magalhaes, Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze had second-half cameos.
