A boyhood Arsenal fan, Watkins would no doubt be interested in the move, but with Jhon Duran swapping Villa Park for Saudi Arabia, a deal does seem unlikely. However, in case Villa’s hand is forced and the 28-year-old does get his dream transfer, here are just three possible ways Mikel Arteta could set his team up with a new striker in the ranks.

Arsenal have FINALLY made a move to sign a striker and it could signal the end of Kai Havert’z time as a centre forward. Many Gooners have grown frustrated with a slow and inactive transfer

How does Ollie Watkins compare with Arsenal's current options? We crunch the numbers to see how the England international has fared in front of goal.

Former Aston Villa player, Andy Gray, has advised Arsenal to make a stunning £100million bid to ‘tempt’ Aston Villa to sell their star striker Ollie

Ollie Watkins has perhaps surprisingly suggested that Arsenal were hard done by in seeing their third goal scrubbed off for a handball in Saturday's thrilling 2-2 draw. The Gunners took the lead through Gabriel Martinelli before Kai Havertz doubled the ...

Marrying his attacking and creative attributes together, Watkins’ off-ball running is also a key part of his wider contribution to his team going forward. Across the Premier League, he is one of the men most likely to stretch the opposition’s defensive line with his intelligent movement.

Earlier this Wednesday (January 29), the Gunners allegedly lodged a surprise £60 million bid for Watkins as they are on the hunt for a new striker. However, Aston Villa quickly rebuffed the Gunners' approach. Opining on the Gunners' rejected bid, Gray told beIN Sports (h/t Metro):

Arsenal are expected to launch a second bid for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, though numerous sources agree it WON'T be accepted, with The Gunners already opening talks to sign one of three possible alternatives.

Martin Keown has warned Arsenal they have little to no chance of signing England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa. Arsenal have made a stunning move for Watkins in the final week of the January transfer window, offering Villa £60m for the Premier League star.

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Arsenal are set to return to the table with a new bid for Ollie Watkins before Monday's transfer deadline and are also interested in Bayern Munich winger Mathys Tel

Arsenal have made a shock offer for Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins in the final week of the January transfer window. Mikel Arteta is desperate to sign a new striker before the winter window closes on Monday night after losing Gabriel Jesus to a season-ending injury earlier in the month.