Mikel Arteta ‘prefers’ two stars he wants Arsenal to sign ahead of Ollie Watkins
Arsenal had to go down their transfer pecking order before deciding to launch a bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins according to former Gunners midfielder Emmanuel Petit
Arsenal and Mikel Arteta would have preferred to sign two players over Ollie Watkins, according to former Gunners star Emmanuel Petit.
It emerged earlier this week than the north London side had made a move to sign Aston Villa forward Watkins, amid their desire for a new forward. Petit believes the move for the former Brentford and Exeter ace is one of ‘panic’.
Watkins has scored 10 goals already this term, in addition to providing five assists. Last term, the 28-year-old netted 19 goals and provided 13 assists.
Petit believes that the England international could prove a useful signing for Arteta. The Frenchman reckons Watkins would strengthen Arsenal’s forward line but that he was not their first choice.
Instead, Petit believes the Gunners’ preference will have been Newcastle forward Alexander Isak or Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is on loan at Galatasaray.
“The potential signing of Ollie Watkins to Arsenal feels like a bit of a panic buy,” Petit told Metro. “He wasn’t the first-choice target, but with the January transfer window nearing its end, Arsenal have had to act.
“I’m fairly certain Arsenal would have preferred a different striker. That being said, I do like Watkins as a player. He is highly competitive, has a strong desire to score goals and provide assists, and brings real energy to the attack. He would add a physical presence to Arsenal’s forward line, and with his pace, he offers something different.
“However, there would have been a few names ahead of Ollie Watkins that Arsenal wanted. Alexander Isak possesses everything Arsenal would want and need in an out-and-out striker.
“I think Victor Osimhen would also have been on the list, but perhaps his personality and character could have been a problem going forward for Arsenal.”
Any attempt by Arsenal to sign Watkins could yet prove more difficult. Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran is close to completing a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, which would appear to make a transfer for Watkins less likely to be sanctioned.
The clubs are said to have agreed a fee, with Duran reported to have said his goodbyes to Villa staff on Wednesday night. Duran could fly to Saudi Arabia this weekend.
Unai Emery said of a deal: “If he is leaving it’s because he wants [to]. I told you last week I wanted him here. We are different people, different objectives. The club is working and we have to be intelligent in the market.”
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