Gabby Agbonlahor

Agbonlahor blasts Arsenal over late bid for Watkins

Gabby Agbonlahor has expressed strong disapproval of Arsenal’s timing in submitting a bid for Ollie Watkins, just hours before Aston Villa’s critical Champions League fixture. The Gunners, who reportedly made a £60 million offer for the striker, had the entire transfer window to act but chose to make their move on the eve of an important game.

According to reports, Aston Villa swiftly rejected the bid and were displeased with the timing of Arsenal’s approach. Agbonlahor, an Aston Villa legend who remains a staunch supporter of the club, echoed this sentiment.

Speaking on Talk Sport, the former forward criticised Arsenal’s decision and questioned the impact it could have on Villa’s preparation for their match. He said:

“The audacity of Arsenal on the eve of the game—a massive game tonight for Villa against Celtic—to put in a bid of £60 million for Ollie Watkins to go sideways to Arsenal. The audacity of this football club. I’m in shock here.

“Villa fans are going to the game in good spirits, and now both of our star strikers have had bids in for them. How unsettling is that for both of the players tonight?”

Ollie Watkins

Arsenal’s pursuit of Watkins has stirred controversy, particularly given the timing of their bid. Watkins, who has been in excellent form for Villa, is a key part of Unai Emery’s plans, especially as Villa are reportedly considering a sale of their other striker, Jhon Duran, to Al Nassr.

While Arsenal is a top club and well within their rights to make an approach for a player, the timing has clearly frustrated both Villa fans and their management. However, the Gunners are known for pursuing high-profile players to strengthen their squad and might be prepared to make another bid if they are determined to land the 29-year-old forward.

If Aston Villa remains firm in rejecting their advances, Arsenal will likely look elsewhere in the market to address their attacking needs. With the transfer window nearing its close, the Gunners face increasing pressure to bolster their squad and maintain momentum in the Premier League and Champions League campaigns.


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23 Comments

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    1. Perhaps our gunners were working on potentially better deals for more desirable players earlier in the month and then had to settle on attempting the less desirable last minute deal as Al-Nassr came the table for Duran?

      Only one of many possible explanations. The people who run our club are not morons and you can’t inform the press of your detailed behind the scenes transfer operations.

        1. The likes of me only defend against those (including me) not having all the facts no matter how many times we do not have them. Nothing to do with whether they bid for Watkins or not.

        2. Examples where they have ‘reportedly’ done this? Well, there you have it. It isn’t ‘reportedly’ anything – you’re talking about nonsense reporting in the media with no idea, literally none at all, whether it’s true or not. Arsenal aren’t bidding for players knowing they’ll get turned down to placate fans. It’s a pathetic, juvenile conspiracy theory. The beauty of it for you though, is that it is impossible for anyone to say 100% that it isn’t true. And all you have to do is say they have ‘reportedly’ done it lots of times before. Enjoy your conspiracy nonsense – I’ll stick to the facts when they come out. As in; Arsenal will sign someone when they sign someone and before that I’ll get on with my life instead of peddling conspiracies on a small Arsenal fan site.

  1. Mr Agbonlahor,

    Arena; haven’t done anything wrong. Arsenal made a bid Villa turned it down, end of story.

    No need to get so worked up about it, it happens all the time. 🙄🤦‍♂️

    1. Well put. Liverpool criticised us when we bid for Suarez, I remember a bid for Gary Cahill (before Chelski) was laughed at in the press by the owner of his previous club for being too low (they sold him the next window for considerably less) and I also remember Alan Pardew moaning to the press when we bid for Debuchy at Newcastle before a match. Literally no other club gets criticised like this. More double standards for the Arsenal.

  2. If we had him in the summer, we could have been no 1 on the table, 10goals/5 assists for this season, last season 19 goals/13 assists in 37 games. Gabby J. 3 goals/0 assist for this season, 4 goals/5 assists last season. Yet our faithful fans prefer Gabby over Ollie. In a blink of an eye Mikel should have binned Gabby for Ollie last summer, but wait, Gabby was hired by Mikel, right? This was just a smokescreen by the cunning folks to hoodwink the supporters and fans. Just like the Suarez fiasco, AFC is not interested in winning the title, plain and simple. In fact the club hierarchy are not wrong, most of Mikel’s pals now babble that wining silverware is not important, top4 is enough. Ollie could have offered much for a season and a half. If we won the EPL 60M prize money would have paid for Ollie’s transfer fees, plus the bonus from the sales of Gabby J in the summer. But no, Gabby J will lead our line next season, trust me.

  3. Absolutely pathetic. Firstly, the bid was made on Monday. Secondly, Arsenal can bid whenever the hell they want – deal with it. Thirdly, what’s all this ‘sideways move’ rubbish?! Aston Villa were literally in the Championship a few years ago and have had had all of 1 (!!) top 4 finish since the mid 90s. Arsenal is a much, much bigger club. This is a big step up for Watkins in his career.

  4. Agbonlahor,

    What a comedian. He calls a move to Arsenal a sideways move.😂

    Aston Villa have had a couple of good seasons, well done.

    But can I remind you Mr Agbonlahor, that a few seasons ago Sheffield United scored what thought was a goal against Villa. But the goal line technology malfunctioned and therefore the referee couldn’t give the goal. Even though the VAR showed it clearly crossed the line.

    Well that season Sheffield United were relegated by one point below you. Had it not been for the malfunctioning goal line technology, it would have been Villa who went down instead.

    Moving to Arsenal is a sideways step, Oh my sides are hurting laughing at that comment.🤣😂

          1. Actually Dan,

            I think I’m right in saying that at the time Sheffield United toyed with the idea of taking it to court at one point. But then thought better of it.

            I believe I’m right, if I’m mistaken then my apologies in advance. 😉👍

            1. No your correct
              I remember
              But there was an acceptance technology didn’t work not that it was done deliberate

              That’s the difference. Most agree it was a terrible decision last Saturday but some have acted like we are the only ones to ever have had a bad decision

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