‘Not going to lie’… Arsenal striker target left ‘fuming’ by his manager with end of season in sight

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All eyes on the summer transfer window will be on whether Arsenal sign a striker.

Mikel Arteta pleaded for a striker in January, however, his request was not answered. 

Arsenal’s plan to win the Premier League this season has been derailed due to a lack of preparation in both the summer and winter transfer windows, with emphasis on the need to get things right ahead of 2025/26. 

With Andrea Berta’s arrival, there’s hope that the Gunners will finally be armed with a reliable goalscorer. 

Several strikers have been linked to Arsenal ahead of the summer window, one of whom the North Londoners made an approach for in January. 

• READ MORE: Every single striker Arsenal’s new sporting director Andrea Berta has signed at Atletico Madrid

Arsenal target Ollie Watkins unhappy with Unai Emery

Arsenal bid for Ollie Watkins in January, an opening offer that was shot down by Aston Villa. 

A move for the Englishman never prevailed as the Villans let Jhon Duran depart; however, moving one striker out of the frame hasn’t benefited Watkins as perhaps hoped. 

Unai Emery orchestrated a remarkable January window at Villa, welcoming Marco Acensio and Marcus Rashford, two players who have become the Midlands club’s protagonists.

As a result, Watkins has been forced to take the backseat in some instances, something the striker commented on after Villa’s resounding win over Newcastle. 

Speaking to Sky Sports, Watkins didn’t hide the fact that he was ‘fuming’ with Emery over his lack of game time in the Champions League. 

“I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games. I am not going to lie, I was fuming that I wasn’t playing – I let him [Unai Emery] know that.”

Watkins hasn’t been best pleased with Emery in recent weeks, frustration that could be something to eye as the end of the season fast approaches.

Watkins still showing his worth to Arsenal 

David Ornstein shared an update on Watkins to Arsenal ahead of the summer window, stating that while anything can happen, it’s likely that the striker’s links to the Emirates have ended.

Though Arsenal have been linked to Viktor Gyokeres at the request of new sporting director Berta, Watkins could be a name on the Gunners’ radar also. 

There’s good reason for the England international to be admired in North London, having scored 15 or more goals in his last three Premier League campaigns.

On top of being a reliable goalscorer in the English top flight, Watkins has also recorded 28 assists in that time, showing that he has the complete package for Arteta.

It remains to be seen whether the Gunners go back in for Watkins, who doesn’t have Emery in his good books at present.