Arsenal information: £80m switch battle with Chelsea as Mikel Arteta ‘has secret weapon’

Arsenal have been crowned Premier League champions and now turn their attention to the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain and summer transfers

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Arsenal have this weekend to revel in the triumph of being crowned Premier League champions.

The Gunners clinched their first title in 22 years on Tuesday night after Manchester City lost points at Bournemouth, triggering wild celebrations in north London as tens of thousands of fans flocked to the Emirates for impromptu festivities. This has completely removed any pressure from the final league match of the season on Sunday afternoon, where Mikel Arteta and his team will receive a guard of honour at Crystal Palace.

However, following the long-anticipated trophy presentation, their full focus will shift towards a bigger event – the Champions League final against reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain on May 30. It’s set to be a thrilling clash as Arsenal aim to secure the European Cup for the first time in their history. Now, ahead of an extraordinary week for the north Londoners, here’s all the latest news from the Emirates.

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Arteta’s secret weapon

Arteta may have a secret weapon for the Champions League final in the shape of Mikel Merino.

The Gunners midfielder sustained a stress fracture in his foot in January which has kept him sidelined ever since, reports the Mirror.

The 29-year-old’s injury was so uncommon that specialist surgeons had never encountered it previously. He required an operation and was unable to walk for two months following the procedure, sparking concerns that both his club campaign and World Cup aspirations with Spain were finished.

Nevertheless, Merino’s rehabilitation has progressed encouragingly and he has now re-joined full training alongside his team-mates. The Spaniard’s recent remarks suggest he could be involved against Palace this Sunday, potentially putting him in the frame for selection against PSG the following weekend.

“That’s the goal,” Merino said when asked about returning for the weekend. “I’m with the team. Whenever the gaffer needs, I’ll be ready to do whatever he wants.”

Looking back on his comeback, he continued: “This morning I woke up and I was feeling like it was the first day of school! Going there nervous, seeing all my team-mates and being around them for the first time, it’s just unbelievable to get all that love from them.

“My foot is great, I’m not even thinking about it anymore. I’m really pleased to be outside with the lads today.

“I’ve been training really hard, not only on the grass but also inside with the strength and conditioning team and the physios, trying to give everything every single day to be as close to perfection when I’m back with the team. I think I’m very good, I feel fit and I’m ready to go.”

Luis Enrique begins mind-games

One of Pep Guardiola’s numerous enduring footballing influences appears to be his ‘kill them with kindness’ approach to psychological gamesmanship.

PSG boss Luis Enrique seems to have taken a leaf from his fellow Spaniard’s playbook by heaping compliments on Arteta’s team ahead of kick-off in Budapest.

Speaking before the showpiece at the Puskas Arena, Enrique lauded Arsenal’s title triumph by declaring: “When you look at Arsenal’s stats, you can see that Mikel Arteta is a leader as a manager, who has instilled a winning mentality in the team.

“They’ve been improving for several seasons now; they love the ball, but they’re the best team in Europe without it. They won the Premier League, and they’re in the Champions League final this year after reaching the semi-finals last season.

“I think they deserve to win the league; they’ve had a brilliant season. We’ve already played against this Arsenal side, so we know what they’re capable of. They’re one of the best teams when they don’t have the ball, and when they do, they score plenty of goals.”

There is certainly substance to the Spaniard’s remarks, though, as Arsenal boast the finest defensive record in Europe.

They shipped a league-low 26 goals on the domestic front and have conceded just six goals in Europe this campaign, while PSG have allowed 22.

Eli Junior Kroupi update

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi.

It has been claimed the Bournemouth star is not for sale, but it’s believed an offer of around £80m could make the club reconsider.

The Daily Mail reports Arsenal are among the clubs “tracking” the 19-year-old. Chelsea are also claimed to be monitoring Kroupi.

However, the report states Bournemouth have insisted the France U21 international is not for sale, as the Cherries have no intention of cashing in on one of their star assets as manager Andoni Iraola prepares to leave the club.

Kroupi has scored 13 in 32 Premier League appearances, averaging a goal every 124 minutes this season.