By DAN KING
ARSENAL target Stevan Jovetic can set up a summer move to the Premier League by wrecking England’s World Cup dreams tonight.
Montenegro striker Jovetic, 23, admits he is flattered by the Gunners’ interest and rates them highly despite their problems since losing Robin van Persie to Manchester United last summer.
But tonight in his home town of Podgorica, the Fiorentina star will be gunning for potential team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the Three Lions in the vital Group H clash.
Jovetic, who is equally comfortable as an out-and-out striker or in a ‘No 10’ role, said: “I’ve heard about Arsenal’s interest. It’s a big pleasure for me to be on the radar of such a big club. I am happy about that.
“I’ve always had an affinity with Arsenal. It’s a major club with a big tradition, one of the biggest in Europe.
“It’s not easy to replace Van Persie, who scored a lot of goals.
“Arsenal have plenty of players who don’t score like Van Persie, but are also very good.
“They are still very strong. I often watch Premier League games on TV. It’s one of the best leagues in the world and looks tempting for me.
“Maybe one day I will play there but I have a contract with Fiorentina and battling for a Champions League place in Serie A is the only thing I’m thinking about now.”
Well, that and the small matter of tonight’s game.
Victory would take Montenegro five points clear of England and put the tiny Balkan nation within touching distance of becoming the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup.
Their tails are up following a hard-fought win in Moldova and, with a passionate home crowd behind them, £20million-rated Jovetic believes they can claim an historic result to back up two draws with England in Euro 2012 qualifying.
He said: “Of course we are very confident, especially after we beat Moldova and stayed top of the group.
“The game against England will be massive, not only because we play against great opponents, but also because it’s a battle for who will be first in the group.
“We have been preparing for this match for a week but it has been in our heads for a few months.
“We are going to play against a top team and yes, it is a hard job in front of us.
“However, the English will not have an easy task against us in front of our amazing fans.
“In the Euro qualifiers I played the second game in Podgorica and it was unforgettable.
“The celebration after the second goal when we secured a play-off spot I will remember for a long time.
“We have more experience than two years ago. Otherwise it’s the same team, with the same players.
“England are always very strong. But we are not afraid of them.
“We have the quality and experience to compete with England, especially in front of our fans.”
