Arsenal’s striker Search: Could Ollie Watkins Be the Answer?
It’s no secret that Arsenal are in desperate need of a prolific striker. With Gabriel jesus sidelined due to injury, the Gunners have relied heavily on Kai Havertz, who has been converted into an out-and-out forward. While Havertz has done a commendable job, his tally of eight goals this season is onyl the joint-12th highest in the Premier League.
The Gunners’ struggles in front of goal are evident. Despite bringing in Raheem Sterling from Chelsea in the summer, the forward has yet to score in eight appearances this term. Sterling’s decline in form is a far cry from his 20-goal season with Manchester city in 2019-20. In fact, Arsenal haven’t had a striker score 20 or more Premier League goals since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang achieved the feat in the same season.
Enter Ollie Watkins. The Aston Villa forward hasn’t been at his scoring best this season, netting just two more goals than Havertz. However, Watkins has consistently hit double figures since joining Villa in 2019-20. Beyond his goal-scoring ability, he also provides a healthy number of assists, making him one of only three players to achieve 100 or more goal involvements in the Premier League during that period.
watkins’ connection to Arsenal adds an intriguing layer to the story. The 29-year-old is a boyhood Gunners fan and has previously expressed his dream of playing for the club. Speaking to the Sports Gazette at the 2020 london Football Awards, Watkins said, “That’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day. But, you know, its a long shot. I’m an Arsenal fan so Thierry Henry was my [idol] he’s unbelievable to watch.”
Arsenal’s interest in Watkins comes at a pivotal time. After their recent Champions League win against Girona, manager Mikel Arteta remained coy about potential transfers, stating, “My confidence is that we have an amazing club with people always working to try and improve.Let’s see what happens.”
However, securing Watkins won’t be straightforward. Former Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock highlighted the financial complexities involved. “Money talks. If Arsenal up their bid, you might see some wheeling and dealing,” Warnock told BBC Match of the Day. “I don’t think you would want to lose Watkins. He is the focal point of attack. but are you going to get that money again for a 29-year-old? That’s a business decision then and that’s when it becomes difficult. PSR has changed everything. It is a bigger decision now.”
Key Points: Arsenal’s Striker Dilemma
| Player | Goals This Season | Notable Achievements |
|———————-|———————–|—————————————————————————————–|
| kai Havertz | 8 | Converted to forward role, joint-12th in Premier League scoring |
| Raheem Sterling | 0 | 20 goals in 2019-20 for Manchester City, yet to score this season |
| Ollie Watkins | 10 | 100+ goal involvements since 2019-20, boyhood Arsenal fan |
As the January transfer window heats up, Arsenal’s pursuit of Watkins could be a game-changer. Will the Gunners finally secure the striker thay’ve been craving? Only time will tell.