Ollie Watkins sends three-word Arsenal message after Aston Villa transfer interest

Ollie Watkins has heaped praise on Declan Rice following Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United. The 26-year-old midfielder fired the Gunners to victory at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon with another great strike from range.

Rice has featured 34 times for Arsenal in the Premier League this season, scoring four goals and providing seven assists. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t end the north Londoners’ 21-year wait for the English top-flight title.

By winning three points at the weekend, Arsenal secured qualification to the UEFA Champions League and cemented a third successive second-place finish. After the game, Rice marked the victory with a celebratory post on Instagram, which eclipsed 150,000 likes overnight.

The England international uploaded a picture of himself blowing kisses to the crowd. Ian Wright responded by posting 10 kissing emojis in the comment section, while Watkins said: “On fire bro [fire emoji].”

Morgan Rogers also acknowledged Rice for his impressive performance. By Newcastle dropping points, Aston Villa have been given fresh hope in the race for Champions League qualification.

Only goal difference separates the Magpies in third from Chelsea and Aston Villa in fourth and fifth, respectively. Meanwhile, Manchester City, who have two games in hand, and Nottingham Forest trail by a point in sixth and seventh.

Watkins and Rogers will be hoping they can capitalise on Rice’s favour when they face Manchester United on the final day of the season. If Aston Villa fail to qualify for the Champions League then the Emirates Stadium will suddenly become an attractive destination for the duo in the summer.

Watkins was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal at the start of the year, but a switch failed to materialise. football.london understands that the Gunners submitted a £40 million bid for the 29-year-old striker towards the end of the January transfer window.

Unsurprisingly, Aston Villa rejected the offer, demanding £60m for his signature. It’s understood that Watkins was keen on the idea of a move to north London and, had the two Premier League clubs agreed on a fee, he would’ve swapped Villa Park for the Emirates Stadium.

Unfortunately for Arteta, who was desperate to strengthen his attacking options, Arsenal fell short. Earlier this month, he suggested that the club may have break the bank to finally sign a top striker.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Gunners’ clash against Newcastle, Arteta said: “The thing is that the budget is like when you have your wedding, you plan your wedding with your wife and you give her a budget and never less, and it’s always more.

“When you build a house it’s always more. Normally this happens. And you prepare for different scenarios. Then unfortunate things happen. Sometimes we want a player and suddenly we have an injury or that player gets injured.

“There are so many variables that can happen but there is a budget. There is always an idea of what we can do, what we can improve, what the priorities are going to be and then let’s see if we can do it.”