Arsenal's bid for Ollie Watkins so late in the January transfer window shows a lack of forward planning at the North London club.

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.

Arsenal face an uphill battle in their bid to sign Ollie Watkins, with Aston Villa unwilling to lose both the England striker and Jhon Duran before Monday’s transfer deadline. The Gunners want to sign a forward in the final days of the window and have had an approach for Watkins turned down.