Mikel Arteta was keen to sign a striker in the January transfer window (Image: GETTY)
manager was keen to sign during the January transfer window but was ultimately denied by the financial decision-makers above him.
New reports have cast light on Arteta’s influence on transfers at the Emirates after the Gunners failed to recruit any new players in the winter window.
Injuries in attack have hurt badly in the Premier League title race with ‘s season ended by a hamstring injury just days after the January window closed.
, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard have all endured lengthy spells out too, with leaders now 13 points clear at the top, albeit having played one game more than .
The north Londoners showed interest in Aston Villa and England striker Watkins last month and submitted a £40million opening offer that fell well short of the Villans’ valuation.
did not return with an improved bid for the 29-year-old who Villa see as worth £60m. Those above Arteta did not view that as a fair value given Watkins’ age.
say that Arteta is an influential voice when it comes to transfers but that he doesn’t have executive powers, which is why the club’s decision-makers did not improve their offer.
Some behind the scenes in the boardroom may not be regretting that decision with Arteta desperately short of firepower for the final few months of the season.
Though Saka and Martinelli are expected to return before the end of the season, ‘s inability to score – having failed to find the net in three of their past four games across all competitions – has cost them.
They have dropped further away from , exited the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage without scoring in either leg against and will need to improve massively to beat PSV in the Champions League last 16.
Ollie Watkins has scored 12 Premier League goals this season (Image: GETTY)
Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid await in the quarter-finals which take place in mid-April. If beat PSV, the Londoners will hope Saka and Martinelli are available by then.
Even if they are, however, they will likely be eased back into action after their lengthy spells on the sidelines. Havertz and Jesus will not play again until the 2025-26 season.
Watkins has meanwhile scored 13 goals and supplied 10 assists in 37 matches across all competitions for Villa this season, including a goal at Villa Park against in January.
say the 18-cap England international, who has five goals for his country, would have been interested in moving to the Emirates if a deal had have been agreed.