4 hours Ago By [email protected] (Brian Dick)
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed the traits he is looking for in a striker having seen a bid for Ollie Watkins rejected in the transfer window. It is claimed the Gunners offered £40m for the Aston Villa forward, well below Villa’s valuation and complicated by the fact they were in the process of selling and trying to replace Jhon Duran. To be fair Watkins , who has previously revealed himself to be an Arsenal fan, told Unai Emery he wanted to stay at Villa Park and so the speculation quickly died down.
That means Arsenal’s quest will continue in the summer, with Arteta describing the kind of striker – and goalkeeper – he wants to sign at the end of the season. Arteta told Sky Sports News : "With a nine - goals. With a goalkeeper, he stops shots and doesn't concede goals.
Then [if] he can play with the feet, he can play with the high line, he dominates the aerial duels, great. "With the nine, it's the same. But a nine that can produce goals as well in the manner and the context that we face a lot.
For example, against a lot of low blocks, with a lot of density in the box, and in the manner that we play. "If he's a great guy, top. If he's very much available all the time, great.
If he can produce magic moments, even better. If his work rate is top, let's bring him in." “We are clear in the profile of the players that we want.
But as well, I want players that can complement with other players and the beauty of the team." Watkins appears to fulfil much of that brief, with 11 goals so far this season and 81 in all since he joined Villa from Brentford, the 29-year-old is one of the most prolific players in the Premier League. He has also been available for every game so far this season and has only missed six league matches in the four-and-a-half seasons he has been at the club, bringing his total to an impressive 202 in all competitions.
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