Emmanuel Petit calls on Arsenal to acquire Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
LONDON,— Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has called on the Gunners to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins to strengthen their bid for the Premier League title.
Arsenal have finished second to Manchester City for the past two seasons, narrowly missing the title by two points last term. Petit believes adding a striker should be the club’s top priority before the transfer deadline to push them over the line next season.
The ex-France international emphasized the need for a physically imposing striker who excels in aerial duels, stating that Arsenal’s attack has become too predictable. Petit expressed his admiration for Watkins, noting his suitability for manager Mikel Arteta’s tactical system.
“Signing a striker should be Arsenal’s number one priority in the transfer window,” Petit said in a recent interview. “They need someone good in the air and physically imposing. With Arsenal’s predictable attack, it’s essential to have different options, especially someone who can score headers given the number of crosses they deliver.”
Petit continued, “There are a few players who fit this profile, and I’m a huge fan of Ollie Watkins. He’s strong, fast, and can hold up the ball while fighting off defenders. He would be perfect for Arsenal’s style of play, excelling in one-on-one combinations.”
Watkins had an outstanding 2023/24 season under Unai Emery, scoring 27 goals and providing 13 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions. One of his goals came in a 2-0 victory over Arsenal, which was the Gunners’ only league defeat of the year and a significant blow to their title hopes.
Signing Watkins would undoubtedly boost Arsenal’s title chances, but a deal appears unlikely this transfer window. Aston Villa have just qualified for the Champions League after four decades and are reluctant to sell, especially with Watkins happy at the club.
Despite the challenges, Petit’s call to action highlights Arsenal’s need for a versatile and powerful striker to compete at the highest level and potentially secure the Premier League title.
