Steven Gerrard’s doubts about Arsenal’s potential striker signing the summer should certainly re-shape Mikel Arteta’s thinking about who he signs ahead of next season.
According to the Football Insider, Aston Villa will listen to offers for Ollie Watkins as Steven Gerrard is not convinced his is the A-list striker he needs.
The Gunners had been heavily linked to the Villa forward, and according to ESPN , the striker is amongst Arteta’s transfer shortlist alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
However, Gerrard’s doubts about the strikers show he should not be viewed as anything more than a backup striker for the Gunners in the next campaign.
Aston Villa are currently in a mid-table position, but Gerrard has previously claimed that he aims to take Aston Villa amongst the European places.
The European places are currently the level that Arsenal are at, and if Gerrard believes that Watkins doesn’t have the firepower to lead his side there, then he shouldn't be seen as the main striker at Arsenal.
However, he would certainly be a useful backup option due to the Premier League experience he does have, and his blistering pace can also stretch teams towards the end of matches.
He has scored 22 goals in 63 games for Aston Villa and has also been capped by England making five appearances and finding the net once.
It should be deemed a necessity for Arsenal to sign two forwards ahead of next season if Arteta wants strength in depth, especially with the club likely to qualify for a European competition.
But also because of the likely departure of Alexandre Lacazette, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
If the 30-year-old does depart from the club then the Gunners could be left with just one recognised striker in the form of youngster Folarin Balogun, as Eddie Nketiah’s contract is also set to expire at the end of the campaign, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has already departed fom the club.
Watkins certainly be a useful signing if Edu also signed another striker in the same transfer window who is of a higher caliber.
The English would most likely be ready to fight for a spot at the Emirates after he announced his ambitions when he was a player at Brentford.
He said: “That's the dream to play for Arsenal one day. But it's a long shot. It's only because my family support them and stuff like that. But that's a long-term [goal]."
When Watkins was asked who his favourite player was, he said: "Thierry Henry. I'm an Arsenal fan, so Thierry Henry was my [favourite player]. He's unbelievable to watch."
Watkins would certainly be a useful signing and Gerrard’s reported desire to sell him should put the Gunners on high alert.
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