Premier League

Andy Gray Urges Arsenal to Tempt Aston Villa with £100m Bid for Ollie Watkins

Former Aston Villa forward Andy Gray has encouraged Arsenal to launch a £100million bid to secure the services of Aston Villa’s star striker Ollie Watkins before the January transfer window closes.

Speaking on beIN SPORTS, Gray acknowledged Villa’s rejection of Arsenal’s initial £60million offer and highlighted Watkins’ finishing ability, which he believes surpasses that of Arsenal’s Germany international Kai Havertz.

“I would be amazed if Aston Villa decided, for any money, to part ways with Ollie Watkins,” Gray said. “Arsenal are his boyhood club, so it’s always a dream to play for them, especially when they’re this good.”

Gray emphasized Watkins’ potential impact at Arsenal, citing the team’s creativity and Watkins’ instinctive finishing ability as reasons why he would thrive at the Emirates.

“He is a better finisher than Kai Havertz and knows how to play in that position better,” Gray added. “In Arsenal’s team, with the chances they create, he would score a lot of goals.”

With only days left in the transfer window, Gray suggested Arsenal might need to act decisively: “Throw £100million on the table and see if that tempts them.”

Despite Arsenal’s urgency to sign a striker, Gray expressed hope that Villa would retain Watkins, particularly given uncertainties surrounding fellow striker Jhon Durán.

Premier League

David Raya doubtful for Arsenal’s clash against Manchester City

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that goalkeeper David Raya may miss the Gunners’ crucial Premier League fixture against Manchester City on Sunday.

Raya was absent from Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Girona in the Champions League, with Neto stepping in for his debut after joining on a season-long loan from Bournemouth.

Although Neto conceded the opening goal to Arnaut Danjuma in the 28th minute, Arsenal responded with Jorginho’s penalty and a spectacular goal by rising star Ethan Nwaneri.

Arteta did not provide specific details on Raya’s injury but noted, “He certainly could not play, and he’s injured, and that’s it. We’ll see how it improves.”

When asked whether Neto could continue in Raya’s absence, Arteta expressed confidence in the experienced goalkeeper, stating, “That’s why he’s here, to do that job… I’m very happy that he played and we won again.”

Arsenal will be hoping Raya recovers in time for the vital clash as they look to maintain their strong position in the league.

Premier League

Rashford must “change” to return for Manchester United, says Amorim

£40m Striker: Man Utd, Liverpool In Transfer ‘Tug Of War’

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has emphasized that Marcus Rashford “has to change” before being considered for selection again. The 27-year-old forward has not featured for the club in seven weeks and recently expressed his desire for a “new challenge.”

Rashford was once again omitted from United’s squad for Thursday’s Europa League match against FCSB in Bucharest.

“Imagine a talent like Rashford; our team should be so much better with him — but he has to change,” Amorim stated during a press conference on Wednesday.

“If he changes, we are more than welcome [to include him]—and we need it. But in this moment, we have to set some standards. We are waiting for Rashford, if he wants it really bad.”

Amorim dismissed suggestions that the situation was personal.

“You (the media) want to make it personal, I have nothing against Marcus, but I have to make the same rules for everybody,” he explained. “We need goals, we need [players who can go] one against one, we need threat in the final third.”

Despite training at Carrington on Wednesday, Rashford was not included in the 21-man Europa League squad, fueling speculation about a potential transfer before the window closes on Monday.

Following United’s narrow 1-0 win over Fulham, Amorim made a strong statement about maintaining team standards:

“I would prefer to select my 63-year-old goalkeeping coach rather than play someone who did not meet those standards.”

Rashford, who debuted for the club in 2016, has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for the senior team.

“The situation is the same for every player,” Amorim reiterated. “I will not put [in] any player that doesn’t give the maximum. When I feel it is the right moment, I will put in any player to play. We are a better team with Rashford, that is clear, but until the right moment I will not change my mind.”

Premier League

Ian Wright slams Enzo Maresca’s ‘strange’ comments for impacting Chelsea’s season

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has criticized Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca for making comments that he believes have negatively impacted the Blues’ Premier League campaign.

Chelsea had emerged as surprise title contenders earlier in the season after some impressive performances. However, Maresca repeatedly stated that his team wasn’t yet ready to compete with top clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City for the Premier League title.

Chelsea’s form has since dipped, winning only one of their last four league games, and they now sit in sixth place, 13 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Wright feels that Maresca’s remarks have had a detrimental effect on the team. Speaking on the *Wrighty’s House* podcast, he said, “I found it strange – it didn’t need to be said. At some stage, there was going to be some form of drop-off without him saying that and giving them an excuse.”

He continued, “He should have just said it’s brilliant and we’re ahead of schedule and we will see where we are. That’s what you do.”

Wright also pointed to Nuno Espirito Santo’s more measured approach with his team, saying, “Nuno would never say something like that about [Nottingham] Forest… just play. It gets into the player’s heads and gives them a get out of jail free card.”

While Wright acknowledged that Chelsea may not have won the title, he expressed his belief that the team could have avoided their recent slump. “I’m not saying they would have won the title, but I would like to think they wouldn’t have gone on a run like this after doing so well.”

Reflecting on Chelsea’s earlier performances, Wright recalled, “They were playing so well and looking so dangerous. I remember sending messages saying Chelsea scare me, Chelsea are dangerous.”

He concluded, “Why would you throw that [comment] into the mix? If Chelsea get the Champions League, magnificent. Now they might be looking at the Europa League with the way it’s dropping off.”