Emmanuel Petit, the former Arsenal midfielder, has raised eyebrows over the Gunners’ decision to focus on signing Ollie Watkins instead of pursuing more established strikers like Alexander Isak or Victor Osimhen this January.

Recent reports revealed that Arsenal made a £60million bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, but Villa swiftly rejected the offer. Petit, however, believes that the Gunners should have prioritized Isak or Osimhen over Watkins, who he described as more of a backup option.

Arsenal has been grappling with inconsistent finishing in the final third, a key area where they have struggled to find the back of the net. This has led to speculation about potential signings to boost their attacking options, with numerous strikers being linked to the club.

Petit, speaking to Metro, shared his thoughts on the club’s approach: “The pursuit of Ollie Watkins seems like a bit of a panic move. He wasn’t necessarily their first-choice target, and with the transfer window winding down, they were forced to act quickly.”

While he acknowledged Watkins’ attributes, Petit made it clear that Arsenal would likely have preferred a different striker. “I do like Watkins as a player. He has a competitive edge, a strong desire to score, and brings real energy to the attack. His pace and physicality would bring something fresh to the Arsenal frontline,” Petit said.

However, he emphasized that players like Isak and Osimhen would have likely been at the top of the Gunners’ list. “Isak has everything Arsenal would need in a striker: the right technical ability, intelligence, and composure. He’d be a great fit for their style of play,” he continued.