Arsenal’s Ollie Watkins bid was ‘disgraceful’ and insult to ‘unbelievable player’
Arsenal have come under growing pressure in recent weeks as supporters are beginning to become frustrated with the way the club is being run.
On the pitch, frustrations have centred around an ongoing injury crisis which has limited the players available and ultimately impacted their potential title charge.
A 1-0 defeat to West Ham last time out means Arsenal are now eight points behind league-leaders Liverpool despite their impressive form prior.
Much of the annoyance, however, has been directed at those making decisions behind the scenes.
Football Insider revealed on 20 February that Mikel Arteta is “angry” at the Arsenal hierarchy after their failure to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window.
However, a £40million bid was made for Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins in the window’s closing stages in a last-ditch attempt to land one of their long-term transfer targets.
Now, Football Insider’s Arsenal expert Connor Humm has labelled the offer a “disgrace” and an “insult” given the 29-year-old’s true value and importance to Villa.
Arsenal failings summed up by ‘disgrace’ Ollie Watkins offer
Arsenal’s need to sign a new striker has been well-documented in recent months, as Kai Havertz has struggled to lead the line and provide a consistent source of goals.
Watkins had emerged as one of their top targets for the role, but the lack of urgency and poor timing of their offer meant a £40million offer was never likely to be enough.
Despite a belief that Aston Villa would have accepted a £60million bid for Watkins, the low-ball nature of Arsenal’s offer has been heavily criticised by the supporters.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Humm explained that Watkins is an “unbelievable player” and should have been their focus earlier in the window.
“Why have we not gone out and got Ollie Watkins? It makes no sense,” he told Football Insider.
“The Ollie Watkins bid was absolutely disgraceful, by the way.
“I thought it was absolutely horrific.
“He’s an unbelievable footballer, you look at his numbers over the last three years.
“People say ‘he’s nearly 30’ and all that – who cares? We need a striker and he’s right there.
“This was the season Arsenal should have won the league, Man City have absolutely fallen to pieces, and they’ve absolutely blown it.
“Mikel Merino as a striker, that was pure luck when he came on against Leicester.
“I’m not being funny, he’s not a striker, he’s a good midfielder.”
Mikel Merino and Raheem Sterling give Mikel Arteta selection headache
Merino’s sudden new role as a striker has come as a result of a sever lack of depth in attacking areas, as Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri are their only fit forwards.
Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have been ruled out for the rest of the season, while Gabriel Martinelli is eyeing a late-March return and Bukayo Saka is expected to return from injury later this season.
Merino’s cameo display against Leicester saw him find the net twice, but he followed that display by struggling in a 1-0 defeat to West Ham at the Emirates.
However, Football Insider revealed on 19 February that Arsenal are concerned about Sterling’s performances, further adding to Arteta’s selection headache.
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