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.

Arsenal have turned their attention to Ollie Watkins as the Gunners try to secure January reinforcements for Mikel Arteta's attack. The Gunners are long term admirers of Watkins, who has scored 69 goals in 169 Premier League appearances for Aston Villa since joining the club in the summer of 2020.

Mikel Artera wants new signings for Arsenal's frontline - in Nwaneri he has a player for his short, medium and long-term ambitions

Arsenal goalscorer Ethan Nwaneri said his match-winning strike against Girona that marked his full Champions League debut was “one of the highlights” of his career. The 17-year-old became the second-youngest English scorer in the competition on Wednesday after Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham when he curled in a fine effort just before half-time in Catalonia to complete a 2-1 comeback win from a goal down and ensure his side’s progression.