Our opinion on the latest Arsenal news and transfer gossip, including updates on Ollie Watkins and Alexander Isak

Mikel Arteta has remained clear in his belief that Arsenal can achieve something special this season, but actions speak louder than words. And, if Arsenal’s approach for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins tells us anything, it is that Arteta really does believe there is still plenty to play for.

Unai Emery, fresh from offloading striker Jhon Duran for £77.5m to Al-Nassr, has confirmed that Ollie Watkins will not be moving to Arsenal before the closure of this transfer window

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has claimed that Ollie Watkins wants to stay at the club, despite significant interest from Arsenal. The England international is a boyhood Gunners fan and rumours of a move to the Emirates Stadium have ramped up following news that Arsenal are planning on submitting a second bid after an initial offer was turned down.

Arsenal want to sign a striker before the transfer window shuts and have had an approach turned down for Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins. The club are also long-term admirers of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko, but neither player will move before the deadline.

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal, and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta insists the Gunners are doing all they can to add to his squad

Ollie Watkins is ‘open’ to joining Arsenal before the transfer deadline if Aston Villa back down and agree a deal with the Gunners. The future of England striker Watkins looks set to be one of the biggest talking points in the final few days of the transfer window after he was the subject of a big-money offer from Arsenal.