The summer transfer window is destined to see a striker finally arrive at Arsenal to bolster Mikel Arteta’s project.
Arteta pleaded for a striker in the January window; however, the Arsenal manager’s demands were not met for various reasons.
Though Arsenal failed to sign a player in the winter market, the Gunners did try to make a move happen for one Premier League forward.
Arsenal bid to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa, an offer that was batted away by the Villans, leaving the North Londoners low on resources at the spearhead of attack.
Gabby Agbonlahor prompts Aston Villa to sell Ollie Watkins to Arsenal
David Ornstein believes Arsenal’s interest in Watkins has sailed, although the England international has been generating attention ahead of the summer.
Unai Emery has been using the forward more sporadically this season when it comes to naming Watkins in the starting XI, something that has left the marksman wanting more.
Aside from Watkins being unhappy with Emery, there is another motive for Villa to possibly explore the conditions around parting ways with their striker, as club legend Gabby Agbonlahor recently discussed.
“He’s nearly 30, will they look at if we can get £40m or £50m from Watkins?” Agbonlahor asked on talkSPORT with regard to Villa’s PSR concerns.
“That saves you from PSR and then you can invest that money again on someone a bit younger.”
Agbonlahor then shared his belief that Watkins would be a good fit for Arsenal, mentioning the fact that the 29-year-old is a supporter of the Gunners.
“I think he’d do a great job for Arsenal. He’s an Arsenal fan, and we know that as well.
“I would love him to sign another contract to stay at Aston Villa, I feel like he’s still got a lot to give.
“But sometimes these managers have got other ideas, he [Emery] might be looking at it and thinking Rashford is the way forward is £40m. It’s hard to see what Unai Emery wants to be honest.”
Watkins can’t be Arsenal’s only striker signing in the summer
With 16 goals in all competitions in 2024/25, Watkins could add that clinical streak to Arteta’s front line; however, it would be naive for the Englishman to be Arsenal’s only number nine acquisition in the summer.
As Agbonlahor stated, Watkins turns 30 this year, so he couldn’t be considered a part of Arteta’s long-term project.
That being said, the striker is a model professional who is Premier League proven, so would be a worthy capture in support of a longer-term solution.
It remains to be seen whether the Gunners opt to dip back into Villa’s pool in the summer, with Watkins’ future up in the air.
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