Mikel Arteta admits ‘disappointment’ after Arsenal’s switch window and rejected Watkins provide

Mikel Arteta admits ‘disappointment’ after Arsenal’s switch window and rejected Watkins provide

The winter switch window has closed, and Premier League contender Arsenal did not make vital strikes to strengthen their squad for the rest of the season. Following the rejection of their bid for Ollie Watkins, supervisor Mikel Arteta admitted he was “upset” with the dearth of exercise out there.

Regardless of being one of the crucial stable groups in Europe, Arsenal’s scarcity of a pure No. 9 and dependable aim scorer has induced concern amongst followers. With Gabriel Jesus sidelined because of an ACL harm, Arteta has been left with Kai Havertz as his solely viable possibility up entrance, who has scored 15 objectives in 33 appearances this season.

In his pre-match press convention forward of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup conflict in opposition to Newcastle United, Arteta mentioned the workforce’s objectives for the switch window. “We had a transparent intention, which is all the time to discover the alternatives to enhance the squad with gamers who can affect it,” the coach acknowledged.

He went on to specific his frustration with the membership’s lack of ability to fill the mandatory gaps within the squad: “We haven’t achieved it, so we’re upset in that sense. However we’re conscious that we solely need to deliver sure type of gamers. We’ve got to be disciplined with that as properly and I feel that we have been.”

Presently trailing Liverpool within the Premier League title race and nonetheless within the Champions League, Arsenal stays one of many strongest sides in Europe. Nonetheless, current accidents have left Arteta with no alternative however to depend on Havertz as his major striker for the rest of the season.

Aston Villa rejected Arsenal’s bid for Ollie Watkins

Among the many many strikers linked with Arsenal through the winter switch window, the membership made a critical try and signal Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins. Nonetheless, the Premier League membership rejected Arsenal’s provide.

In keeping with Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal made an preliminary bid of round £60 million, however it was swiftly turned down. One of many major causes for Villa’s rejection wasn’t simply the inadequate amount of cash, but additionally the timing of the bid, which got here simply days earlier than the switch window closed.

With Jhon Durán finishing his transfer to Al Nassr, Watkins stays Villa’s most dependable possibility in assault. Villa supervisor Unai Emery expressed reduction after Watkins opted to remain, reflecting on the switch window: “There are gamers preferring to depart… then some gamers decide to us right here and one among them is Ollie Watkins. He’s glad to remain at Aston Villa”.

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