Arsenal had to go down their transfer pecking order before deciding to launch a bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins according to former Gunners midfielder Emmanuel Petit

Unai Emery said he does not want Ollie Watkins to leave Aston Villa amid interest from Arsenal, but said if Jhon Durán joins Al Nassr then it is "good news."

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 had an approach for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins turned down as they try to bring in a new forward before Monday’s transfer deadline.

Arsenal have turned their attention to Ollie Watkins as they try and secure January reinforcements for Mikel Arteta's attack. Villa have rejected a bid from the Gunners for their striker with the end of the winter transfer window looming less than a week away.

Aston Villa have rejected a formal offer from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins, sources have told ESPN. Arsenal want to sign a forward before Monday's transfer deadline and are pursuing alternative options after accepting Benjamin Sesko is unlikely to leave Red Bull Leipzig this month.

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.

Ollie Watkins is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Aston Villa FC and England. He is likely to make the England squad for the 2024 European Championships, despite beginning his career with Exeter City back in 2014.

Chelsea are set to make an offer to sign Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, while Aston Villa's Jhon Durán is closing in on completing a £64.5m switch to Al Nassr. And it's Deadline Day in the Women's Super League.

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a man given the title of the "hottest striker" in Italy, in a move which AFTV host Robbie Lyle has been told to take "very seriously".

Arsenal believe they can pull off one of the biggest transfers of the season despite failing with an initial bid.