Arsenal are pursuing a deal for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins in the remaining days of the transfer window, in a move that could have significant impacts on Mikel Arteta’s squad.
The Gunners are short on offensive options due to injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, and thus the club are intent on supplementing what they already have with a lethal finisher.
Watkins is open to a move to Arsenal, with a second bid expected to be tabled for the forward after the first was rejected.
The prospective signing will no doubt excite Arsenal fans, while several members of Arteta’s squad will be thrilled at the idea of playing with the England international.
However, others could see their time at the Emirates severely hindered by Watkins’ arrival.
Two Arsenal players winning from Ollie Watkins transfer
Martin Odegaard
Arsenal fans have been frustrated by Martin Odegaard in recent weeks, with the Norwegian struggling to rediscover his best form after returning from injury in mid-November.
However, many others will argue that a lack of a potent striker in front of the captain is prohibiting him from maximising his creative assets.
With Watkins’ elusive movement and robust hold-up play, Odegaard could hit new heights.
The playmaker will have more opportunities to thread eye-of-the-needle balls through to his striker, while he’ll have someone to work with who is capable of finishing these chances on a frequent basis.
Bukayo Saka
Saka will be out until at least March, but when he returns, he could have a new partner in crime to operate with in forward areas.
Arsenal’s talisman will have an existing relationship with Watkins having played with him for England, and thus will understand the number nine’s instinctive movements and what sort of service he likes feeding off.
Similarly to Odegaard, Saka’s creativity could be rewarded with more assists as it receives a grateful new recipient.
Two Arsenal players losing from Ollie Watkins transfer
Kai Havertz
The obvious player in the Arsenal squad who could be negatively impacted by Watkins’ arrival is Kai Havertz.
While the congested fixture schedule means that the German will still get minutes, and he could also be used in midfield more regularly, he’s likely to play a significantly reduced role.
Havertz and Watkins could occasionally dovetail as a front two, but this won’t be Arteta’s preference most of the time.
The former Chelsea man will have to fight tooth and nail to retain his place as the first choice striker, a battle you wouldn’t expect him to win.
Gabriel Jesus
Unfortunately for Gabriel Jesus, the signing of Watkins would most likely spell the end of the Brazilian’s time in North London.
Jesus is currently sidelined with an ACL injury, and won’t return to full fitness until at least the autumn of this year.
By that point, Watkins would be fully integrated into Arteta’s team, while Havertz is likely to be deputising for the Englishman.
This’ll leave little room for Jesus to feature, meaning he’ll probably be put in the departure lounge next January, once he’s recovered from his lengthy injury.
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