Arsenal icon David Seaman has now urged Mikel Arteta to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins in the upcoming January transfer window as a replacement for Gabriel Jesus.
Seaman believes Arteta can give his squad a boost by acquiring a new centre-forward during the winter sales. Jesus has also frustrated the Arsenal legend of late with his playing style by regularly drifting out wide. But Watkins would solve the issue as he is an out-and-out striker.
Jesus rarely sticks to a central role at Emirates Stadium as Arteta lets the 26-year-old enjoy a free position. He will often seek to stretch an opponent’s defence by running out to a wing and open space for his teammates. But Seaman would prefer it if Jesus stayed in the centre.
Gabriel Jesus frustrates David Seaman with the Arsenal star’s free role
Arteta offers Jesus a free-roaming role as it creates areas for Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard to exploit. But the Brazilian’s tendency to vacate the penalty area also restricts his output. Jesus has only scored six goals across 16 appearances so far this term.
Four of Jesus’ haul have come during Champions League games, as well, having hit home in each of his outings. Yet the 64-cap Selecao star has only scored twice in the Premier League with efforts at home to Manchester United back in September and at Luton Town last week.
David Seaman backs a transfer for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins
Watkins, on the other hand, has scored eight times in the Premier League this season, along with five times in the UEFA Conference League. The 27-year-old has also got eight assists from 16 top-flight games. Jesus has one top-flight assist and two in the Champions League.
What has helped Watkins to achieve his numbers is the strict role Unai Emery affords him at Villa Park. The former Gunners coach limited the nine-cap England international’s tasks after replacing Steven Gerrard last November. Watkins used to regularly drift out wide, like Jesus.
Now, Seaman believes Watkins has proven for Aston Villa that he would be a worthy signing for Arsenal and a potential upgrade on Jesus ahead of the January transfer window. But the Villans would be loath to sell their star striker and extended his contract to 2028 in October.
“[Watkins] is a good shout,” Seaman said on his Seaman Says podcast “Yeah, because he’s a box striker. He doesn’t get too involved in the build-up play, which I like.
“I sometimes see Jesus too far out, and I’m like: ‘No, get back in the middle!’ It’s something everyone is talking about. Getting a new striker would boost the team.”
Arsenal have held talks with Ollie Watkins’ agent about a transfer
Arsenal have already shown an interest in targeting Watkins’ transfer from Aston Villa come January. Football Transfers reported in September that Edu spoke to the Aston Villa striker’s agent, Paulo Vernazza, about a move. Arteta and Watkins admire each other hugely, as well.
But Aston Villa moved to fend off any potential interest in their £33m striker by renewing his contract in October. He would, no doubt, now cost the Emirates Stadium natives a fortune in January. The Villans will also consider Arsenal as a rival in a shock Premier League title fight.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
