Champagne is popping, Declan Rice is dancing and Arsenal are champions again and look forward to lifting the Premier League trophy for the first time in 22 years on Sunday.
It must be said that this is a title years in the making and is the result of careful planning and wise hiring. Manager Mikel Arteta has overseen gradual progress and now they have finally crossed the line.
As former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said of the club’s rivals in 2022, “It’s the end of an era.” The Gunners have a chance to take advantage of instability elsewhere in the top flight.
Jurgen Klopp has already left the nest at Liverpool. Josep Guardiola will likely follow suit at Manchester City. There has been confusion and turmoil at both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, but United appear to be taking a gamble of their own with the appointment of Michael Carrick.
Now, sitting on a perch, it’s time for Arsenal to put the pedal down and seize a long-term advantage.
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Arsenal Forward – 25/26 PL Stats | |
|---|---|
player | Goal (assist) |
Gokeres | 14(1) |
Havertz | 2(2) |
Jesus | 2 (0) |
of | 7(5) |
maduke | 2(1) |
Trossard | 6(6) |
martinelli | 1(3) |
Dauman | 1 (0) |
total | 35(18) |
Reports earlier this week revealed that Paris Saint-Germain’s Hviča Kvaratscheria is a dream target for the Spaniard, but it is unlikely that his upcoming Champions League opponents Arsenal would consider a sale.
There is similar interest in Atlético Madrid marksman Julian Álvarez, but again Diego Simeone’s side are not keen to make a bid, and any deal is likely to be influenced by the Argentina international’s participation in this summer’s World Cup.
Looking a little further into the Premier League, TEAMtalk provides the latest on Arsenal’s interest in Bournemouth star Eli Junior Crupi, with the teenage sensation attracting attention following a breakout season at the Vitality Stadium.
The Gunners are currently eyeing the 19-year-old along with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, with Arteta said to be keen to sign a new forward to compete with Victor Gyokeres next season.
It is suggested that a “significant bid” would be required to secure the player’s signature, with a valuation ranging from £65m up to £85m, significantly more than the £12m deal he signed when he moved to England just a year ago.
Why Kurupi is an upgrade to Gokeres
Much of this season’s success has been due to the talent of the defensive unit, so it would be an overstatement to say Gokeres was the missing piece of the puzzle for the champions.
In fact, the Gunners have scored just 69 league goals so far, the same number as last season, but 17 fewer than Liverpool scored when they won the title a year ago.
This suggests there is still room for improvement and Gökeres, who has scored at least 14 league goals, has not improved his level much since his £64m move from Sporting CP.
The 27-year-old definitely has his strengths, but the younger Crupi appears to be on the verge of becoming a true superstar, with GOAL hailing him as “the next Mbappe”. In fact, he has come to life like a duck to water in the Premier League.
After joining from Ligue de Lorient during the summer and scoring 22 league goals in 2024/25, the teenager picked up where he left off in France and proved to be a surprising star under manager Andoni Iraola.
Crupi, who has now scored 13 goals in England’s top flight, has now set the record for most goals scored by a teenager in his debut season in the Premier League, surpassing the likes of Robbie Keane and Robbie Fowler (12).
Despite playing just 20 games, the Frenchman has scored 13 goals, scoring at a rate of 1 goal every 124 minutes, and his membership in this team is worthy of respect. Incidentally, Gokeres has scored one goal every 160 minutes for the Gunners.
Already “one of the best finishers in the Premier League” in the opinion of pundit Daniel Sturridge, Crupi boasts a goal conversion rate of 28% and has missed just three “big chances”, an impressive record considering his age.
To compare again, Gokeres, who is eight years older, has missed 15 “big chances” and has a goal success rate of 26%.
What also sets Crupi apart is the way he scores this season. Gokeres, who scored three penalties, was almost a pure poacher, as seen from close range against Everton.
In contrast, the young Frenchman scored the decisive goal in the title race in midweek during a memorable run at home at the Emirates earlier this year, curling his shot past the helpless Gigi Donnarumma and on target.
Crupi, who can play comfortably in the center or on the left, could actually be the missing piece Arsenal have been waiting for, resulting in Gokeres sitting in the second half next season.
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