Ollie Watkins snub and Tottenham humiliation - Arsenal's nightmare end to transfer window

Mikel Arteta has work to do before the January transfer window closes.

It could be a defining three days for Arsenal’s season, and not just on the field. On Sunday afternoon, Mikel Arteta’s side host Manchester City in a game they have to win to keep their hopes of catching Premier League leaders Liverpool alive. But as soon as the final whistle goes at the Emirates, the club’s attention will turn to the transfer window and getting some business done before Monday’s 11pm deadline. The Gunners have already had a big-money bid for Ollie Watkins turned down, and Arteta desperately needs more forward power amid injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. The Spaniard will also be guarded against the potential for last-minute departures. And there are question marks over the future of one key player whose contract is due to expire this summer…. But what would transpire into a nightmare finish to the transfer window for Arsenal? Express Sport has a go at laying it out...

Second Watkins bid fails Arsenal chiefs took everyone by surprise on Tuesday by tabling a reported £45million bid for Aston Villa star Watkins, not least of all Villa themselves. The offer was firmly rejected, but at least finally signalled Arteta’s intention to land a proven goalscorer. If their pursuit was serious, the north London club will surely follow up with an improved offer. But they face a real race against time to get a deal of that magnitude over the line, given how critical Watkins is to Villa and has the Champions League knockout rounds to look forward to. If the Watkins move doesn’t materialise, Arteta could be forced to look at loan options for forwards, with the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak seemingly not available until at least the summer. Failure to bolster the attacking ranks is likely to prove terminal to Arsenal’s title chances, and leave big question marks over their transfer policy.

Ollie Watkins is being pursued by Arsenal.

Tottenham land Bayern star Tel If anything could make not landing a world-class striker in this window worse for Arsenal fans, it would be having to endure Tottenham doing just that. Spurs are reportedly in talks with Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel who at 19, has been tipped to become a future star of the game. Spurs currently lie 15th in the Premier League, are 23 points off their neighbours, and unable to promise Champions league football next season. To see them bring in a clinical finisher while Arsenal flounder in that department will not only be frustrating for supporters, but raise question marks over the club's transfer policy.

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Jorginho’s early exit With his contract up in the summer, fans are already braced for the departure of midfielder Jorginho. But according to ESPN earlier this month, that departure could be accelerated with the Italian international's agent having held talks with Palmeiras over a move in this window. That development is likely to encourage other clubs to try their luck late in the window. The current situation at the Emirates, with Arteta needing squad players and the experience of Jorginho to help the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, means losing the star would now signify another big blow.

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