Would be perfect’: Emmanuel Petit urges Arsenal to sign 27-goal striker this month

Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has encouraged the Gunners to acquire Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins to enhance their prospects of winning the Premier League title.

The Gunners have finished as runners-up to Manchester City in the last two seasons. They closely competed with Pep Guardiola’s side last season but ultimately lost by a narrow two-point difference. The London club will be striving to secure the title next season, and Petit believes that acquiring a striker should be the club’s top priority before the transfer deadline.

The former France international also noted that Arsenal needs someone strong in the air and physically dominant, as he believes the Gunners’ play has become too predictable.

Petit expressed his admiration for Watkins, stating that he would be an ideal fit for Mikel Arteta’s current tactical setup.

In a recent interview, Petit said: “Arsenal’s number one priority in the transfer window should be signing a striker. They need someone who is strong in the air and can also be physically dominant.

“It’s important to have different options, and with Arsenal, you can predict their attacking approach, which can become too predictable.

“With the number of crosses they deliver into the box, they need someone who can score with headers. That’s an area of their attack that needs improvement.

“There are a few players on the market who fit these criteria. I’m a big fan of Ollie Watkins. I absolutely love him! He’s physically strong. He has the speed to get in behind defenders.

“He can battle against two defenders and hold up the ball. I think he would be perfect for the style of football that Arsenal plays.

“He can engage in one-on-one combinations, and I think he would be an excellent fit for Arsenal’s team and system.”

Watkins had a remarkable 2023/24 season under Unai Emery, scoring an impressive 27 goals and providing 13 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions.

One of those goals came in the 2-0 victory over Arsenal earlier this year. It was the Gunners’ sole league defeat of the year, but it was a significant setback in their title quest.

Watkins has emerged as one of the Premier League’s top strikers, and signing him would undoubtedly improve Arsenal’s chances of winning the title.

However, a deal seems unlikely in the current transfer window. Villa recently qualified for the Champions League for the first time in four decades and have little incentive to sell.

Watkins is also content with his situation at the Midlands club. The club is unlikely to weaken their top-four/five ambitions next season by letting go of the 28-year-old.