£60m striker is the wrong signing for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta needs to change his mind – opinion

In their pursuit to improve the options available to Mikel Arteta next season, Arsenal are looking at a host of strikers across Europe.

Since he arrived at Arsenal in 2019, Arteta has only signed two strikers: Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Both have had periods where they’ve been exceptional at the Emirates Stadium, two forwards with unique skill-sets.

However, neither Havertz or Jesus are prolific goalscorers and it’s an obvious area in which Andrea Berta can improve Arsenal’s squad.

It’s believed that Jesus would have been sold this summer were he not to have suffered such a significant injury, one that will probably keep him at the club until next January at least.

Ollie Watkins is the wrong striker for Arsenal

That being said, Arsenal did actually make a late move for a striker last January when Jesus’ injury was confirmed.

Arsenal made a bid for Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa, an approach that was swiftly rejected, perhaps because Jhon Duran had already left for the Saudi Pro League in the same window.

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Arteta was personally pushing to sign Watkins according to reports, a player he thought could immediately provide a boost for Arsenal.

And despite those failed attempts, Watkins is still on Berta’s striker shortlist, one that effectively reads as a list of alternatives to Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.

However, based on his efforts this season, Arsenal might be making a mistake if they push to sign Watkins.

Berta is thought to be prioritising a ‘win now’ striker, someone who is ready to contribute to title-wins immediately rather than a striker who will learn on the job.

But it should heed caution that Unai Emery has often left Watkins on the bench for Villa of late in favour of playing Marcus Rashford centrally.

Watkins is showing signs of decline under Unai Emery

So far this season, Watkins has scored 16 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions, numbers that are significantly down on last season.

Moreover, the England international has looked bereft of confidence at times, perhaps because he was used so interchangeably with Duran whilst he was still at Villa Park.

But either way, Villa want £60m for Watkins this summer and that’s a high price to pay for a striker who is showing some signs of decline.

Perhaps Watkins could rediscover his best form at Arsenal, something Arteta must believe.

However, those funds can surely be better spent on a striker on the rise, someone like Hugo Ekitike or Benjamin Sesko.

Arsenal love Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting CP, who would be a better option than Watkins.

But he himself is a complicated stylistic fit — Arsenal play very differently to Ruben Amorim’s old side.

It’s a tough decision, but one that Arteta and Berta have to get right.

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