The winter switch window has closed, and Premier League contender Arsenal did not make vital strikes to strengthen their squad for the rest of the season. Following the rejection of their bid for Ollie Watkins, supervisor Mikel Arteta admitted he was “disenchanted” with the shortage of exercise available in the market.
Regardless of being one of the crucial strong groups in Europe, Arsenal’s scarcity of a pure No. 9 and dependable aim scorer has triggered concern amongst followers. With Gabriel Jesus sidelined on account of an ACL harm, Arteta has been left with Kai Havertz as his solely viable choice up entrance, who has scored 15 objectives in 33 appearances this season.
In his pre-match press convention forward of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup conflict towards Newcastle United, Arteta mentioned the crew’s objectives for the switch window. “We had a transparent intention, which is at all times to discover the alternatives to enhance the squad with gamers who can influence it,” the coach acknowledged.
He went on to specific his frustration with the membership’s incapacity to fill the mandatory gaps within the squad: “We haven’t achieved it, so we’re disenchanted in that sense. However we’re conscious that we solely wish to convey sure sort of gamers. We have now to be disciplined with that as properly and I believe that we had been.”
At the moment trailing Liverpool within the Premier League title race and nonetheless within the Champions League, Arsenal stays one of many strongest sides in Europe. Nevertheless, current accidents have left Arteta with no alternative however to depend on Havertz as his major striker for the rest of the season.
Aston Villa rejected Arsenal’s bid for Ollie Watkins
Among the many many strikers linked with Arsenal through the winter switch window, the membership made a critical try to signal Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins. Nevertheless, the Premier League membership rejected Arsenal’s provide.
In keeping with Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal made an preliminary bid of round £60 million, nevertheless it was swiftly turned down. One of many major causes for Villa’s rejection wasn’t simply the inadequate amount of cash, but in addition the timing of the bid, which got here simply days earlier than the switch window closed.
With Jhon Durán finishing his transfer to Al Nassr, Watkins stays Villa’s most dependable choice in assault. Villa supervisor Unai Emery expressed aid after Watkins opted to remain, reflecting on the switch window: “There are gamers preferring to go away… then some gamers decide to us right here and considered one of them is Ollie Watkins. He’s joyful to remain at Aston Villa”.
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