Eli Junior Kroupi is an Arsenal transfer target. (Image: Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta faces arguably the most pivotal week of his managerial career as he bids to complete a remarkable double for Arsenal this season. The Spaniard already has a historic Premier League title secured and now sets his sights on overcoming Paris Saint-Germain to claim the Champions League.
The Gunners will not shift their full attention towards the summer transfer window until the outcome of Saturday’s showpiece in Budapest has been decided. Nevertheless, a couple of promising developments look set to give Arsenal a considerable boost ahead of the most significant fixture in their calendar.
There are also movements on the transfer front, with one reported target confirming he is already in discussions with figures connected to the club. Express Sport takes a look at the latest news from around the Emirates in closer detail as the club stands on the brink of yet further glory.
Kroupi Jr already speaking to Arsenal stars
Having already played a pivotal role in delivering the league title to north London, Eli Junior Kroupi is a name on everybody’s lips around the capital right now. And to the delight of Arsenal supporters, it has emerged that several figures at the Emirates have already made contact with the forward.
However, this remains strictly unofficial, given that it is not the club’s board that has been in touch with the teenager. Rather, it is members of Arteta’s own dressing room who have reached out to congratulate the Frenchman on his title-sealing heroics.
It was, of course, Kroupi’s curling finish against Manchester City last week that played a pivotal role in confirming Arsenal as champions. Consequently, speculation surrounding the Gunners’ pursuit of the highly-rated £80million-valued 19-year-old has intensified considerably in recent days.
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When pressed on whether any Arsenal players had been in touch to congratulate him on his strike against City, Kroupi told Stadium Astro: “Yes I have received many messages but I tell myself that I didn’t do this for Arsenal.
“I do this for Bournemouth. I can say I scored against Arsenal, I scored against City. It doesn’t change anything, I just wanted to help my team.”
That response only further highlights the remarkable maturity the youngster possesses. It’s little surprise that the talented teen, who joined the Cherries from Lorient last summer for a modest £10million, has taken the Premier League by storm this campaign.
However, it may require considerably more than a lucrative offer to prise him away from the Vitality Stadium this summer.
Kroupi appears genuinely excited at the prospect of leading Bournemouth into European competition next season when discussing his next ambition, saying: “Perform with my team and perform also in Europe also because it is very beautiful to be in Europe but you have to perform to play there.”
Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembele have suffered injury blows. (Image: Getty Images)
PSG risk losing two key stars
In news that will likely be warmly received at the Emirates, both Ousmane Dembele and Achraf Hakimi are battling fitness concerns ahead of Saturday’s final. With fewer than seven days remaining before the two sides take to the pitch at the Puskas Arena, Luis Enrique is still awaiting clarity on both players.
Hakimi, 27, has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring tear during PSG’s semi-final first-leg encounter against Bayern Munich. He sat out the second leg of that tie and now faces a race against time to be fit for the showdown with Arsenal.
Dembele, meanwhile, continues to nurse a calf problem picked up during the recent derby against Paris FC. He raised alarm bells among PSG supporters by departing that match early, though his injury is thought to be the less serious of the two.
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L’Equipe has reported that there are genuine concerns Hakimi will be unable to start against Arsenal. The uncertainty surrounding Dembele is not considered quite as grave, though anxieties will only mount should he remain absent from training as the week progresses.
For his part, Dembele has moved to play down worries over his physical condition in recent days. PSG supporters will arguably be most desperate to see the Frenchman feature against the Gunners above anyone else.
“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,” he recently told RMC Sport. “Will I be 100 per cent for the final? Yes, yes, I think so, yes, I’ll be ready. I have no doubt about it, I hope to be on the pitch on May 30.”