Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has recently shared his insights on the club's transfer strategy, particularly regarding their pursuit of Ollie Watkins during the winter transfer window. Speaking on the Wrighty's House podcast, he expressed his satisfaction that Arsenal made a concerted effort to secure the England international, especially in light of the challenges they faced in the market.
Manager Mikel Arteta had previously indicated the necessity of strengthening his attacking options following Gabriel Jesus' season-ending injury. This situation has forced Arteta to deploy Kai Havertz in a false No.9 role, a decision that underscores the urgency of Arsenal's need for reinforcements. However, as the transfer window closed without any new signings, Arteta described the outcome as "disappointing," particularly given the limited attacking choices at his disposal.
As the deadline approached, Watkins emerged as Arsenal’s primary target, with reports suggesting that the club submitted a bid of approximately £60 million to Aston Villa. However, Villa swiftly rejected the offer, determined to retain their star player, particularly after the departure of Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
Arsenal's emphatic 5-1 victory over reigning champions Manchester City provided a welcome distraction for fans who were discontented with the lack of new signings in January. The club had been linked with various forwards, including Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Dusan Vlahovic, and Yoane Wissa, alongside Watkins and Alexander Isak. Yet, Wright believes that acquiring the right calibre of player was always going to be a formidable challenge.
"It was always going to be tough for us. Isak wasn't even an option," Wright remarked, elaborating on the inherent risks associated with signing strikers. He stated, "When we're talking about strikers, it's a gamble and I don't care who you are. Darwin Nunez, Rasmus Hojlund Isak went for £63m, he's the only one in recent times that I'm looking at as a striker who has probably doubled his money. You look at Nicolas Jackson. For £32m, I'm happy with that. But when you start getting past £50m, you have to start thinking that it's a pure gamble."
Wright further explained, "They're hoping that it works and I don't think Arsenal can afford to do that. That's probably why they went for a 29-year-old in Ollie Watkins or Villa tried to get him to come to us, whatever it was. As a club, I don't think we can afford to take the chance on those kinds of signings hitting or missing. It has to hit with Arsenal and this is why it's so tough. I've always thought it was so difficult to get somebody in January. Who is going to leave at that stage who is the calibre of player you want? We're going to have to see something in the summer."
Reflecting on Havertz's performance against Manchester City, Wright acknowledged the player's efforts in adapting to a new role. "We're talking about someone who has been turned into the main striker and he's doing the very best he can do. We haven't really got anybody in and you're thinking that we probably need someone. I was quite pleased, however it came about, that they tried for someone like Ollie Watkins. You have to at least try."
While Wright expressed his pleasure with Arsenal's display against Manchester City, he noted that the match could have been even more comfortable had the team possessed a reliable goalscorer to alleviate the pressure. He commented, "If Ollie Watkins could have happened, which I still believe was initiated by Villa, because they were hedging their bets with Jhon Duran: which one was going to go and then obviously he went. I'm not even sure if Ollie Watkins was the one that wanted to go. No, Villa were the ones that maybe wanted to sell one of those two."
He further emphasised the immediate needs of the team, stating, "But I think at 29, as much as it's not like a signing for the future, but for what Arsenal need right now, to win certain games and get ahead in certain games. What I saw in that Manchester City game was chances being taken, even though Kai Havertz missed that one, but chances being taken, energy up and looking really dangerous at every opportunity."
Wright concluded by underscoring the importance of having a proven goalscorer, saying, "We did that to Manchester City, who are obviously going through what they're going through, but I think we can do that to any team with that energy. But if you've got the person who can score the goal when the game is in the balance, then you get to a situation and that place in the game where everybody is confident, the opposition have to come out and do something, then you can pick them off. So many times we lose that opportunity because we miss chances. Especially at home, they get a little bit nervy and you can feel the nervousness at the Emirates."
As the conversation surrounding Arsenal’s transfer dealings continues, supporters will be eagerly anticipating further developments as the summer window approaches.