Mikel Arteta responds as Ollie Watkins to Arsenal transfer is dismissed by Aston Villa
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta refused to be drawn on speculation involving his club with an attempt to take striker Ollie Watkins out of Aston Villa before the transfer window closes on Monday evening - but he insisted that the Gunners are trying to add to their forward line after losing key personnel to injuries.
Arsenal, pushing Liverpool for the Premier League title, are without Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus for the foreseeable future after both players suffered serious injuries which will keep them sidelined at a crucial stage in the North London club's season. To that end, Arteta is eager for Arsenal to replenish his options before the deadline, although time is of the essence.
It emerged this week that they'd submitted an offer for Villa's leading forward Watkins, who has been the Lions' top scorer in each of the last four seasons and has, in that time, broken into the England fold. There has been a longstanding interest in Watkins from Arsenal, but their offer was rejected by Villa.
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Whether they return with improved terms remains to be seen, and on the day when Unai Emery has publicly confirmed that Watkins will remain a Villa player - the club are already having to think about how they deal with the void left by departing forward Jhon Duran, who is bound for Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr - Arteta has chosen not to directly address the Watkins talk.
"The possibilities are affected by three parties. We are trying," Arteta said at his press conference. "You know I am not going to talk about individuals. We are actively looking to try and find solutions in that position and we will see what the market brings. We look at what we have in the squad, what we're lacking and what can make us look much better."
