Arsenal eye Rogers & Kroupi - and a new Arteta deal
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi (left) and Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers had outstanding seasons for their clubs By Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent Published 21 minutes ago With the plumes of red smoke still fresh in the north London air from Sunday's euphoric trophy parade , Arsenal 's attention swiftly turns to building on their Premier League triumph. If manager Mikel Arteta needs reminding of how a club's rise can quickly be offset by an unexpected nosedive, he need only look at the difficulties Liverpool faced last season. Arne Slot's sacking at the weekend was a year after lifting the Premier League trophy. Arteta, whose powerbase at the Emirates Stadium has increased after leading the club to their first domestic title in 22 years, has a plan in place - and it is now up to the club to execute the Spaniard's summer blueprint. Following Saturday's heartbreaking Champions League final defeat by Paris St-Germain , the Gunners boss said there are some "important decisions" to make in order to take the club to the next level. Here, BBC Sport looks at these key issues in the coming weeks, including a transfer wishlist featuring Aston Villa 's Morgan Rogers and Bournemouth 's Eli Junior Kroupi. New deal for Arteta The priority for Arsenal this summer is to finalise a new contract with Arteta, whose current deal expires at the end of next season. BBC Sport revealed last month that talks over fresh terms were shelved in order for the club to focus on the end of the campaign. With Arsenal 's historic season now over, the process will pick up again during the summer. Nothing is expected to be finalised before Arteta returns from holiday. But it is understood that there was positive progress during initial conversations, amid expectation within the Emirates that it is a case of when, not if, the 44-year-old renews. Despite this, there remains an air of caution at Arsenal , although club officials are fully focused on reaching a final agreement well before the start of next season. Sources have told BBC Sport the new contract, which is likely to be a minimum of three years, would be worth a major increase on his current wages. Arteta earns £10m a season, plus a further £5m upon Champions League qualification. His new contract would make him the highest-paid manager in England following Pep Guardiola's decision to leave Manchester City . Guardiola's deal was worth a minimum £20m a season. Arteta would move far closer to his compatriot's earning power. Recently, Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke made clear the club's intention. "Keeping Mikel around is an utmost priority and I think the good news for Arsenal fans worldwide is he's enjoying the project," said Kroenke. With that project centred around Arteta's influence, owners Kroenke Sports Entertainment know they will have to commit significant funds to ensure their manager stays on. And with Arteta's status at an all-time high, the Gunners boss will know
While Arsenals recent success is undeniable, its important to consider the sustainability of their momentum. The challenges faced by other clubs, like Liverpool, serve as a reminder that even the most successful teams can face setbacks. It will be crucial for Arteta and his staff to maintain their focus on development and strategic planning, rather than solely relying on star signings.
It sounds like Arsenal is on the lookout for new additions to strengthen their squad, targeting players like Rogers and Kroupi to complement their existing lineup. Additionally, there might be discussions regarding a potential new contract for their manager, Arteta, to ensure his long-term commitment to the club. Its always exciting to see the moves teams make to improve their chances of success.
Arsenals pursuit of Rogers and Kroupi is smart, as these young talents could provide much-needed depth and skill. With Arteta at the helm, I have no doubt theyll find a way to integrate them into the team effectively and take their game to the next level. Lets see how it unfolds!