Jay Bothroyd continues to draw up a striker shortlist for Arsenal to sign and has now insisted he would like Ollie Watkins to join.
Arsenal had a fantastic transfer window and brought in four quality players that instantly improved their squad. Declan Rice was the headline act for the Gunners, who paid £105 million for the West Ham skipper, as Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and David Raya were the others.
The Timber injury early in the season asked questions about their defensive depth, and Arsenal finished the window without signing a replacement. If one area in Mikel Arteta’s squad does not need strengthening right now, it’s the centre-forward position.
Eddie Nketiah has hit a rich vein of form since the season started, and Gabriel Jesus marked his return to full fitness with a goal against Manchester United last Sunday. They also have Kai Havertz, who can play there and Leandro Trossard, who Arteta has used in a false-nine role since joining last January.
Hence, there’s no visible shortage of options in that position, and if the argument is centred around a tall forward with a box presence, then Havertz can certainly do that job. However, many feel that Arsenal should sign a world-class forward next summer to elevate their squad quality further, and Jay Bothroyd has another name to suggest.
The former Arsenal academy graduate had earlier urged Arsenal to sign Ivan Toney and has now told the club to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa. Bothroyd told Sky Sports’ Saturday Social via HITC that the 27-year-old Premier League attacker from Aston Villa should become an option if the Gunners cannot sign some top-level names like Victor Osimhen.
Bothroyd said, “I would bring Ollie Watkins to Arsenal. If I can’t get Osimhen and players like that, then I think he would be a good addition to the squad.”
If Arsenal requires a world-class striker, they should be far from Watkins. The 27-year-old Premier League attacker has been a good presence for Unai Emery’s side, but he’s far from the levels of Osimhen.
The Gunners also have links to Brighton star Evan Ferguson, and the Irish prodigy is a better option than Watkins regarding what Arsenal want. The 27-year-old Premier League attacker has performed admirably for Villa and was one of the forces that helped them finish seventh in the league.
Villa are keen to keep hold of the striker, who also has the interest of Chelsea, among other teams. The Midlands club are eager to tie him down on a new contract and end speculation surrounding his future.
