Image Credits: Imago Images
Bournemouth emerged from the lunch-time kick-off triumphant, as they took all three points off Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
A win would’ve taken Arsenal twelve points clear with Manchester City still to play this weekend, but now the landscape looks very different.
Due to Manchester City having two games in hand over Arsenal, if they win both of those, they will be just three points behind, setting up a nervy final few weeks of the season.
Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi opened the scoring for the away side in the 17th minute before Viktor Gyokeres equalised from the spot ten minutes before half-time.
Arsenal began to show restlessness as the game progressed into the second half and their frantic lunges did nothing but open space for Alex Scott in the box who calmly dispatched to bring all three points back to the south coast.
However, Junior Kroupi’s goal was significant as it led the 19-year-old to become the first player under the age of 20 to score 10 Premier League goals since 2000.
His opener at the Emirates makes him the eighth highest goalscorer in the league so far this campaign in what has been a brilliant breakout season for the youngster.
The player’s potential has been realised, as it was revealed in March that Liverpool are one of several clubs keeping tabs on the Bournemouth man.
TeleFoot reported that Liverpool, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain were all monitoring the France youth international.
Junior Kroupi is an ambitious player, having described winning the Ballon D’Or as his biggest personal target whilst expressing a desire to play for the “biggest clubs”.
After a disappointing season for the Reds, Junior Kroupi’s emergence will appeal to them even more as they look to add attacking quality to get themselves back in contention for trophies.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has done remarkably well in developing youth prospects such as Junior Kroupi despite losing other key talents such as Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez last summer.
It is understood that Iraola is appreciated by sections of Liverpool’s hierarchy as pressure continues to mount on Arne Slot.
An opinion could be formed that if the Dutchman is unable to turn it around and Iraola takes the reigns at Anfield; it could open up a more realistic possibility that a deal for Kroupi is struck.
