Paris Saint-Germain star Presnel Kimpembe has sent a clear message on social media after the 2-1 Ligue 1 defeat to Strasbourg which he missed due to injury. The centre-back has endured a torrid last few seasons and because of several muscular issues, has played just 76 minutes this season.
Given how much action he has missed and the options now available to Luis Enrique, Kimpembe has been an unused substitute in seven of the last nine games. And featuring in PSG's remaining four games, which could become five if they reach the Champions League final, now looks unlikely.
On Friday, a club statement confirmed that both he and Ousmane Dembele would miss Saturday's trip to Strasbourg. "Victim of bone edema in the 2nd metatarsal of his [Kimpembe's] right foot, will remain at rest for the next few weeks," their medical update read.
"Ousmane Dembele has strained his right hamstring. His condition is progressing well. A further assessment will be carried out shortly."
With a Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal just a few days later, Kimpembe looks set to also miss that while Dembele, who scored the only goal of the first leg, is a major doubt. Had he been available, featuring in between the two European semi-finals was very likely given the starting XI Enrique selected.
Joao Neves was the only player to retain his spot while Fabian Ruiz and Desire Doue, who both started at Emirates Stadium, came off the bench. Four teenagers featured prominently in the game and for two of them it was their Ligue 1 debuts.
(Image: Presnel Kimpembe on Instagram)
After the game, PSG uploaded an Instagram post congratulating Axel Tape and Noham Kamara on the achievement with Kimpembe reposting that onto his own story and captioning it with a blue and red heart emoji alongside a clapping emoji.
Arsenal are dealing with some of their own injury problems ahead of the second leg with Jurrien Timber missing the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday due to a knock picked up in the first leg.
When asked if he was confident the Dutchmen could return from that minor issue next Wednesday, Mikel Arteta said: "At the moment, no, because he wasn't able to play here and we play in four days."
If he is not passed fit, Ben White will likely come into the team and Arteta could also be boosted by one of Jorginho, Riccardo Calafiori or Kai Havertz returning from injury.
"I wouldn't rule all of them out [of PSG second leg]. Let's see in the next few days how I feel they react," he said on Friday.
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