PSG vs Arsenal Preview: Dembélé Returns as Luis Enrique Insists "We Will Not Change"

Paris Saint-Germain welcome Arsenal to the Parc des Princes on Tuesday evening with a UEFA Champions League final berth in their sights. After Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike gave the Ligue 1 McDonald's champions a 1-0 win at the Emirates last week, Luis Enrique’s side know the job is only half done – but they’ll be sticking to their philosophy, no matter the pressure.

“We must stay true to our ideas” – Luis Enrique

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, PSG manager Luis Enrique was clear: there will be no tactical compromise, even with the stakes at their highest. “We will suffer – because the opponent is in an unfavourable position. But we must stay as close as possible to our first-leg performance and remain true to our ideas,” the Spaniard told reporters.

Enrique, now deep into his first season in charge, believes PSG’s identity is still forming – but already strong enough to withstand such a high-pressure occasion. “In a construction process, the first year is for analysis. The second is for growth,” he added. “Next year, we’ll keep building. But already this season we’ve taken big steps forward.”

Dembélé back after injury scare

After a nervy few days following his substitution in the first leg, Ousmane Dembélé  has been declared fit and available to feature on Wednesday night. The winger missed PSG’s 2-1 loss at Strasbourg on Saturday but has since returned to training.

“It’s been two days since he’s been training with the squad,” Enrique confirmed. “He will be available tomorrow.” As one of PSG’s most dynamic outlets this season – and the match-winner in London – his return could be pivotal.

Hakimi: “We need the Parc to make itself heard”

Achraf Hakimi echoed his manager’s call for clarity of purpose – and called on the home crowd to rise to the occasion. “I think the key will be to do what we’ve been doing since the start of the season, to show personality when we don’t have the ball and not give our opponents any gifts,” said the Moroccan full-back.

He underlined the power of the Parc des Princes as a weapon: “Since I’ve been in Paris, I’ve felt the support of the fans. Tomorrow, we’ll need it more than ever. Arsenal need to feel that we’re at the Parc des Princes.”

“The atmosphere is going to be incredible,” Hakimi added. “We want to send a very clear message: we’re going to give it our all for them, to make them proud. There have been difficult times and they’ve always been behind us. They deserve it.”

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