Arsenal are reportedly occupied with strengthening their centre-forward ranks this summer season, amid contemporary claims that the Gunners are maintaining tabs on Aston Villa superstar, Ollie Watkins.
What’s the newest on Watkins to Arsenal?
Journalist Steve Kay – by way of Caught Offside – published previous this week that the England global is a participant whom the north London outfit are “keeping a close eye on” at the moment, with supervisor Mikel Arteta mentioned to be an “admirer” of the 27-year-old.
Transfer insider Pete O’Rourke – in an interview with Football FanCast – has supplied an replace relating to that obvious hobby in the seven-cap marksman, with the revered supply noting that the former Brentford guy is for sure on the radar of the ones at the Emirates.
O’Rourke said: “So it’s no surprise that some clubs are going to be looking at Ollie Watkins considering his form. Arsenal are among those sides that do like the look of the striker as well. So yeah, having lost Danny ings and not having many other striking options, I’m sure Unai Emery will be determined to keep the striker at Villa Park.”
How did Watkins carry out towards Arsenal?
As O’Rourke alluded to above, Watkins has for sure warranted such hobby on account of his standout type of past due beneath Unai Emery, with the 5 foot 11 gem having scored eight targets and supplied 4 assists in 23 Premier League video games already this season.
That first rate tally has been strengthened by way of the striker’s contemporary scorching streak as he has netted a function in each and every of his ultimate five top-flight video games, with the one-time Exeter City ace particularly scoring in the 4-2 loss to the Gunners at Villa Park.
While the £22m-rated guy in the end ended up on the dropping aspect in that exciting contest, he’s going to have without a doubt stuck the consideration of Arteta and co because of his spectacular show in assault, having arguably given the generally unflappable William Saliba the run round on the day.
The £75k-per-week ace “easily” surged his well beyond the French colossus – in the phrases of ESPN’s James Olley – to internet the recreation’s opening function at the finish of a shocking breakaway, with Watkins showcasing his breathtaking pace to roast his reverse guy, earlier than lashing house from the attitude.
As 90min’s Grey Whitebloom famous, the Villa talisman had ‘repeatedly got the better of Arsenal’s defensive duo‘, whilst GOAL correspondent Charles Watts said that Saliba have been ‘punished‘ for failing to get as regards to the “lethal” Englishman – as up to now described by way of pundit Trevor Sinclair.
As the Gunners’ centre-back pairing are prone to have came upon, the Torquay-born hotshot isn’t the form of participant to present a defender a second’s peace, with the latter guy particularly rating in the top 9% in Europe amongst the ones in his place for interceptions made.
Such a hard-working asset – who now boasts 33 targets in 95 Premier League video games for the Villans – will most probably turn out a useful gizmo for Arteta’s aspect subsequent season, with Saliba, specifically, surely hoping not to have to return towards the relentless gadget once more.