Ousmane Dembélé is available to play against Arsenal. Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique revealed the news during the press conference ahead of the Champions League semi-final.

Ousmane Dembélé is set to return to the spotlight on one of European football’s biggest stages. Fully recovered and back in training, the French international is available for Paris Saint-Germain’s decisive UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal, scheduled for Wednesday, May 7 at 21:00 at the Parc des Princes.

PSG head coach Luis Enrique confirmed the news during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, injecting a surge of optimism into the Parisian camp as the club prepares for one of the most pivotal matches in its modern history.

Dembélé’s return is more than a simple squad update it’s a potential game-changer. In the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, it was Dembélé who broke the deadlock early with a sharp, instinctive finish that left Arsenal’s defense stunned. The winger's dazzling footwork and electric pace repeatedly threatened the Gunners' backline during that opening spell. However, his night was cut short in the 70th minute due to a minor injury, and he was replaced by Bradley Barcola. At that point, PSG had already done the damage, and Dembélé’s goal would go on to be the match-winner giving the French champions a slender but significant 1-0 lead to carry back to Paris.

That early lead could prove invaluable, especially with Dembélé back at full strength. “He’s trained with the group for two days. He’s available tomorrow,” said Luis Enrique. “He’s looking sharp, and physically he’s where we need him to be.” For a team that thrives on pace and fluidity in wide areas, Dembélé’s inclusion restores balance and unpredictability in attack two qualities that can be decisive in high-pressure European ties. His presence will demand constant attention from Arsenal’s defense, opening up space for teammates like Kylian Mbappé, Randal Kolo Muani, and Vitinha to exploit.

At the press conference, right-back Achraf Hakimi was also full of praise for Dembélé, reinforcing just how much his return means to the squad. “He’s a special player. There are footballers who are good, who are smart and then there are players like Ousmane,” Hakimi said. “He’s unpredictable, he can beat you on either foot, and when he’s in rhythm, he’s unstoppable. He’s the kind of player that people pay to watch, a true genius with the ball.”

This semi-final encounter represents more than just 90 minutes of football it’s a test of identity and character for both sides. For PSG, it’s about breaking past their recent history of near-misses in Europe. Since reaching the Champions League final in 2020 and suffering heartbreak at the hands of Bayern Munich, PSG have been trying to build a team capable of consistently challenging for the biggest prize in club football. Under Luis Enrique, the club has taken clear strides forward, blending individual brilliance with a more disciplined tactical framework. The Spaniard’s leadership has brought more cohesion to a squad often criticized for relying too heavily on superstar moments.

Yet Enrique made it clear in the press conference that his side won’t be sitting back to protect their one-goal advantage. “We are excited and proud to play this match,” he said. “This is what we work for all season. We’ve grown together as a team throughout this campaign. Tomorrow will be intense, but the atmosphere in the stadium will push us forward. We will play our football, we won’t abandon our style. We’ll go out to win not to protect a result.”

That approach could be crucial against an Arsenal team known for their attacking dynamism and high-pressing style. Arteta’s men have been in excellent form in the Premier League and will arrive in Paris determined to turn the tie around. The task, however, is steep. Not only does Arsenal need to score at least once in a hostile environment, but they must do so while keeping PSG’s lethal front line at bay a line now reenergized by the return of Dembélé.

Luis Enrique, a tactician with vast Champions League experience, also took time to pay respect to his opposite number, Mikel Arteta. “I was lucky to get to know him when he was still a player,” Enrique said. “He was very young then, but even at that stage, you could see he had a great personality and strong character. He was a brilliant footballer, and he’s now become a fantastic coach. I wish him the best in his career but not tomorrow, of course.”

The mutual respect between the two Spanish managers is clear, but when the whistle blows in Paris, all pleasantries will be put aside. The Parc des Princes is expected to be packed to capacity, with fans creating a wall of noise to lift their team to what could be a second Champions League final appearance in just five years. The Parisian faithful have long craved European glory, and for a club that has invested so heavily in talent and ambition, the time to deliver is now.

Dembélé’s story adds an emotional layer to the night. A player whose career has been interrupted by injuries, doubts, and inconsistency, he now stands at the center of one of PSG’s biggest matches in recent memory. A standout performance could not only put his name back among the elite in Europe but also propel PSG into a final where anything can happen.

The stakes could hardly be higher. For PSG, a win means breaking free from the ghosts of past European disappointments. For Dembélé, it’s a shot at redemption and greatness. And for Arsenal, it’s a chance to prove that they’ve returned to Europe’s top table for good. All of that will be decided under the lights of the Parc des Princes, where drama, brilliance, and football history await.