Arsenal wrapped up the winter transfer window without making any new additions to their squad, a decision that has left many fans frustrated and confused.
With the Gunners trailing Liverpool by six points in the Premier League title race, many believed reinforcements were necessary—especially in attack.
Despite being linked to several strikers, Arsenal failed to complete a deal before the deadline.
Recent reports have now surfaced, indicating that Arsenal had a clear opportunity to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
However, Mikel Arteta and the club’s management ultimately chose not to pursue the deal.
Arsenal’s Late Interest in Watkins
Ollie Watkins unexpectedly became a transfer target for Arsenal in the final days of the January window.
The Aston Villa forward has consistently delivered strong performances in the Premier League, proving himself as one of the most reliable goal scorers in English football.
While he may not command the same attention as top strikers like Erling Haaland or Alexander Isak, his impressive goal contributions highlight his value.
During the 2023/24 season, Watkins was directly involved in 40 goals, and he has continued his outstanding form this campaign, already scoring 20 times.
His ability to find the net and play across multiple attacking roles made him a highly attractive option for Arsenal.
Villa’s Demands and Arsenal’s Reluctance
Renowned journalist David Ornstein revealed that Aston Villa were open to selling Watkins but only if their valuation was met.
Arsenal made an initial inquiry, but after their first bid was rejected, no further negotiations took place.
Speaking on The Athletic’s podcast, Ornstein explained:
“When it comes to Watkins, things become difficult when deals are attempted so late in the window.
However, Villa made it clear that they were open to discussions if Arsenal met their £60 million valuation.”
Arsenal, however, were unwilling to match that price and instead offered a figure closer to £40 million.
With Aston Villa standing firm on their demands, Arsenal ultimately decided not to push ahead with the transfer.
Was Watkins Worth £60 Million?
Many fans and analysts are now debating whether Arsenal should have paid Aston Villa’s asking price.
While £60 million might seem high for a 29-year-old striker, some argue that Arsenal needed to strengthen their squad at any cost, given their position in the title race.
Ornstein stressed that Aston Villa were not bluffing about their valuation:
“Villa were serious about their £60 million price tag. If they needed to balance their books due to financial regulations, that was the amount they required.”
Even though the deal was possible at that price, Arsenal refused to go beyond their £40 million offer, leading to questions about whether they were truly committed to signing a striker in January.
Watkins Would Have Wanted the Move
One of the most interesting aspects of this situation is Watkins’ long-standing admiration for Arsenal.
The striker has openly spoken about being a fan of the club since childhood and has previously expressed his desire to play for them.
Ornstein hinted that if negotiations had progressed, Watkins might have pushed for the move himself.
However, since Arsenal never submitted a serious second bid, the transfer never advanced.
“Watkins has made it clear in the past that Arsenal was his dream club.
Had the deal come closer to completion, he might have pushed for it. But Arsenal never returned with an improved offer, so it never reached that stage.”
Arsenal’s Gamble Could Backfire
By failing to bring in a striker, Arsenal have placed a significant burden on Kai Havertz to lead the line for the remainder of the season.
While the German international has performed well in recent weeks, his relentless workload could lead to fatigue, especially with Arsenal competing on multiple fronts.
Gabriel Jesus remains an option, but his recurring injury issues make him an unreliable solution.
Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah has struggled to establish himself as a consistent goal threat.
With limited depth in attack, Arsenal could find themselves in trouble if Havertz or Jesus pick up an injury.
A Risk in a Tight Title Race
The Premier League title race is expected to be fiercely contested between Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
Every point will be crucial, and the absence of a proven goal-scorer could prove costly for Arsenal.
While Liverpool strengthened their squad by bringing in Wataru Endo and Manchester City continue to rely on the prolific Erling Haaland, Arsenal have taken a risk by sticking with their current attacking options.
Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
With the January transfer window now closed, Arsenal’s focus must be entirely on their performances on the pitch.
Mikel Arteta will need to get the most out of his existing squad and manage his players’ fitness carefully.
The summer transfer window will offer another opportunity to reinforce the squad, but if Arsenal fall short in the title race due to a lack of firepower, their failure to sign Ollie Watkins in January will be seen as a major missed opportunity.
For now, fans can only hope that Arteta’s decision not to sign a striker does not end up costing them the Premier League title.
