Eli Junior Kroupi revealed he has been inundated with messages from Arsenal players after he scored the goal that confirmed the destination of the Premier League title.
The Bournemouth forward has enjoyed a sensational first season in English following his unheralded £12million move from Lorient.
Kroupi had already had a significant say in the title race after he scored the opening goal in the Cherries 2-1 win over the Gunners last month which looked tohave put a significant dent in the north London club’s aspirations.
The France Under-21 international did, however, go some way to repairing the damage with the 13th goal of his increasingly impressive campaign against City on Tuesday night.
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Although Erling Haaland denied Andoni Iraola all three points on his final home game in charge, it wasn’t enough to take the title race to the last day and the draw that Bournemouth earned sparked wild scenes on the streets of Islington and beyond.
Asked if he’d been congratulated by any thankful Arsenal players, he told Stadium Astro: ‘Yes I have received many messages but I tell myself that I didn’t do this for Arsenal.
‘ I do this for Bournemouth. I can say I scored against Arsenal, I scored against City.
‘It doesn’t change anything, I just wanted to help my team.’
Kroupi, meanwhile, has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer who are set to invest again in an effort to arm Mikel Arteta with a squad capable of defending their crown.
Bolstering an attack that hasn’t always fired is likely to a priority with Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez a top target.
The Spanish side are hoping to retain their prize asset amid interest from PSG and Barcelona.
Kroupi would offer a more affordable option but for now the in-form striker is focusing on preparing himself for Bournemouth’s maiden European campaign next term.
When asked about his goals for the future he said: ‘Perform with my team and perform also in Europe also because it is very beautiful to be in Europe but you have to perform to play there.’