At a Glance:
- Eli Junior Kroupi links to Arsenal strengthen
- Benjamin Sesko and Arsenal saga revealed
- Two football greats discuss Arsenal’s Champions League chances
Later today, Arsenal will face off against Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
A topic of discussion heading into the game is both sides’ reliance on defensive rigidity and lack of traditional flair—more aimed towards Arsenal than Atletico—and that the quality of attacking in tonight’s showdown might be a letdown to viewers.
Arsenal still have questions over their long-term plans in the forward position, and there have been recent updates on a potential summer signing, Eli Junior Kroupi, as well as a player they did not end up going for last year, Benjamin Sesko, who is now at Manchester United.
Pundits also have weighed in on the Gunners’ Champions League fortunes and how Mikel Arteta might fare in the thick of tense European competition.
READ MORE: Arsenal backed to win it all after chaotic PSG vs Bayern clash
Eli Junior Kroupi reveals desire to move to a bigger club
Amidst the news that Arsenal are interest in Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, another name is starting to emerge.
Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi has impressed this season, with 11 goals so far in the Premier League and is the first teenager to have scored more than ten in his debut season in England’s domestic leagues this century.
While the Cherries are not intent on selling the 19-year-old, if they are to be swayed it would reportedly need to be a higher amount than £62.5 million, which was the amount receivedwhen Antoine Semenyo left the South Coast to join Manchester City.
Arsenal apparently are keeping tabs on Kroupi, and with the news he is at least intrigued by proving himself at a bigger club, he is one of a host of forwards that could excite Gunners fans if announced this summer.
Reason behind Arsenal not signing Benjamin Sesko revealed
Then-RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko was heavily rumoured to be considering a switch to North London in the summer 2025, but the Slovenian moved to Manchester United instead for an initial £66 million with add-ons included.
It now appears the reason that Sesko did not make a move to the Emirates was down to the Gunners’ director of football believing a potential Sesko transfer to be a ‘bad deal’, according to The Athletic.
The report also details that ultimately, Mikel Arteta and his team saw eye-to-eye with Berta, and the club opted to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting instead.
Gabby Abonglahor predicts Arsenal to ‘park the bus’ versus Atletico, while Clarence Seedorf says the Gunners can win it all
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Abonglahor went on X to criticise the setup of Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, stating that Arteta will “park the bus like you have never seen before.”
Meanwhile, Dutch icon Clarence Seedorf said, following the bonkers semi-final on Tuesday night that saw Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern 5-4, that Arsenal’s ability to keep clean sheets is the reason they have the best chance at winning the Champions League.
