‘He is different’ – Theo Walcott urges Arsenal to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins
'I feel he is the sort of player Arsenal would look at.'
Theo Walcott believes his former club Arsenal should sign Ollie Watkins this summer and has likened the Aston Villa striker to Premier League legend Thierry Henry.
Arsenal have shared the goals around this season, with Bukayo Saka the club’s top goalscorer in the Premier League with 14.
No other Arsenal player has reached double figures in the league, leading to speculation that Mikel Arteta will look to sign a new striker at the end of the season.
Gabriel Jesus, who Arsenal bought from Manchester City in 2022, has scored just four goals in 22 Premier League appearances this season.
Despite the absence of a prolific goalscorer, Arsenal have mounted another title challenge under Arteta and reached the latter stages of the Champions League.
But Walcott believes a new striker could be heading to the Emirates Stadium this summer and hopes that player is Villa and England star Watkins.
Watkins has enjoyed another impressive season at Villa Park, netting 19 Premier League goals, including one in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal.
Discussing Arsenal’s plans for the summer, Walcott told Premier League Productions: ‘Well you look at their goals tally right now. They will probably invest in a striker and that player could well have been playing on the opposite side [at the weekend].’
Asked if he was referencing Watkins, who looks set to be picked in England’s squad for Euro 2024, Walcott responded: ‘I am indeed.
‘I feel he is the sort of player that Arsenal would look at. What I really like about Ollie Watkins is that, you look at his style and you think he is a winger.
‘He reminds me, and it’s one of the best compliments I am going to give him, but he reminds me of Thierry Henry.
‘Against Arsenal he played out on the left a lot. He wanted to be a forward, but drifted out on the left – he’s such a threat on the counter. He is playing at the top of his game and it would be refreshing to see if he stays at the club.
‘There were warning signs [for Arsenal] when he hit the post. I feel like, when he goes through, he is going to score, that’s how confident he is playing right now.
‘I’m pretty sure there will be a lot of teams sniffing around for Ollie Watkins right now. He is very different.’
The late defeat to Aston Villa was a major blow to Arsenal’s title chances and leaves them two points behind defending champions Manchester City with six games remaining.
Arteta’s side need to respond on Wednesday night when they face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. The first-leg of the Champions League quarter-final finished 2-2.
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