Pompey's Niko Kranjcar Snubs Arsenal!

Niko Kranjcar insists he is already looking forward to next season at Portsmouth, despite being linked with a move to Arsenal.

The Croatian midfielder was reportedly on Arsene Wenger's radar after impressing for Pompey as they booked their passport to Europe by winning the FA Cup.

But Kranjcar, who will be an integral part of his country's Euro 2008 campaign, wants to remain at Fratton Park.

He said: "I am already looking forward to playing in the UEFA Cup.

"Portsmouth is a great place to be at the moment and we have got a great challenge next season—playing in Europe.

"From a personal point of view, it's probably the peak of my career so far."

"It's an honour to be linked with Arsenal and Liverpool but I think I will stay with Portsmouth".

Yet Kranjcar admits winning Euro 2008 would be even better.

He said: "If I would have to choose then I would have to say a Europeans Championship winners' medal would be the priority.

"It has been a great year—winning my first trophy abroad and qualifying for Euro 2008 with Croatia, and beating England on the way."

Kranjcar and his Croatian team-mates open their campaign against co-hosts Austria on Sunday and he says victory is essential.

"I always say the most important thing is to win the first game," he continued.

"I think we've proven over the last two or three years that we really have a team that can beat anyone.

"If we prepare well, we're a team who can give anyone a good game. Hopefully with a bit of luck, we can go pretty far."