‘At this point’: There are three strikers Arsenal are more likely to sign than Ollie Watkins – journalist

Say what you will about Arsenal falling short in the Premier League in recent years, the Gunners have come on leaps and bounds in recent times.

Indeed, it wasn’t long ago that Mikel Arteta genuinely had to field questions about Arsenal being relegated, now, Thierry Henry believes they can beat Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Arsenal have improved massively in recent years, and they’ve done so through some smart recruitment and tactical improvements.

Now, Arsenal need to make the final step to become Premier League champions, and, in order to do that, they need to sign a striker.

Arsenal went for Ollie Watkins in January, but now, it sounds as though Watkins has fallen down the pecking order in terms of Arsenal’s summer targets.

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta says he had a ‘massive fight’ with one Arsenal player this season

Arsenal have three strikers above Ollie Watkins on transfer wishlist

Speaking on The Atheltic’s YouTube channel, James McNicholas has been discussing Arsenal’s interest in Watkins.

According to the journalist, Arsenal aren’t all that likely to go in for Watkins this summer, claiming that Benjamin Sesko, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres are three more likely options.

“They you’ve got somebody like Ollie Watkins. Arsenal looked to him in January, and I think that was sort of circumstantial interest in soe respects. The chance to sign Watkins was presented to them at the point where Aston Villa knew they were going to have to sell one of their two centre-forwards,” McNicholas said.

“Arsenal were interested, they liked Watkins, particularly at the point of the season they looked very light up front.

“Will Arsenal revisit it? I’m not so sure on that one. I think the age of the player could coe into consideration, coming from a Premier League club, being an England international, there’s probably a premium on the pricetag. I don’t think you can count out Watkins entirely, because Mikel Arteta has shown he loves a Premier League proven player.”

‘I wouldn’t rule it out entirely, but Sesko, Isak and Gyokeres would bethe names I’d be considering most strongly at this point.”

Ollie Watkins compared to Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak

Arsenal are more likely to go for Gyokeres, Sesko or Isak than Watkins this summer, and that does seem logical.

Indeed, as good as Watkins is, the Aston Villa star doesn’t necessarily have age on his side, and he’s not scored as many goals this season as some of his peers.

Arsenal have often prioritised signing younger players – Martin Odegaard, Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes were all under 23 when they arrived at the club, and Watkins wouldn’t quite fit into the mould.

Yes, he’s Premier League proven, and yes, he’s a top player, but after years of waiting for this striker signing, it doesn’t feel like Watkins is the long-term solution to Arsenal’s problems in this position.