Arsenal set for Champions League final boost as PSG star 'ruled out of starting XI'

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Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi is 'unlikely' to start the Champions League final, in a huge boost for Arsenal . Hakimi isn't the only injury worry with Ousmane Dembele also in a race against time to be fit, with both sitting out of a training game.

The Gunners will face PSG in next Saturday's showpiece match in Budapest, just days after being officially crowned Premier League champions. Mikel Arteta's side overcame Atletico Madrid to secure their place in the final in Hungary, while PSG progressed past Bayern Munich to arrange the meeting with Arsenal.

PSG concluded their Ligue 1 campaign last weekend, meaning they have benefited from an additional week to prepare for the encounter with the Gunners. L'Equipe have reported that PSG participated in an internal friendly match on Saturday involving only squad players, but two stars were missing.

Dembele and Hakimi did not feature in the match, sparking concerns that the pair could be doubtful for the meeting with Arsenal next week.

The report states that PSG contested a game consisting of two 20-minute halves, with players from both sides given clear instructions to avoid any physical contact.

Hakimi was absent from the second leg of the Champions League semi-final victory over Bayern and also missed PSG's final four Ligue 1 fixtures of the season.

It was reported that Hakimi completed an individual training session instead of the internal friendly, and is seemingly close to rejoining his teammates in full training. Despite this, it is still considered "unlikely" that the Morocco international will recover sufficiently to feature against Arsenal in the Champions League final and, at best, is expected to start from the bench.

When fit, he is their first-choice right back and has played 31 times this campaign. His expected absence could see midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery pressed into action at right-back, with Fabian Ruiz coming into midfield.

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Dembele sat out the friendly fixture, having been withdrawn during the first half of PSG's Ligue 1 curtain-closer against Paris FC last weekend.

The Ballon d'Or winner did, however, confirm earlier this week that he still anticipates being fit to face Arsenal next Saturday.

“I’m doing very well. I had a slight scare against Paris FC, but I’m fine and I’ll be ready for the final," Dembele said.

"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.”

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