In April, the boyhood Arsenal fan rocked up at the Emirates with his manager Unai Emery and turned their dreams into a nightmare.
Manchester City did what they do best and capitalised on that by winning the Premier League title weeks later.
Now, Mikel Arteta is left licking his wounds and wondering what to do next for Arsenal to become champions of England for the first time in nearly two decades.
At the start of the season, and ahead of the 2024 summer transfer window opening, the one constant topic has been about Arsenal needing a striker.
They were the second-highest goalscorers during the recently-concluded campaign (91 goals), with only Pep Guardiola’s side scoring more.
Despite that, many still believe that the London club should look to bring in that number nine, with Watkins’ name, on occasions, brought up and discussed.
Darren Bent agreed that the Villa hitman has had an ‘absolutely bonkers’ season, scoring 19 goals and supplying 12 assists as Emery secured Champions League football, but he would still take Ivan Toney at the Emirates, if he had a choice, as he told talkSPORT.
Sources have told HITC that Brentford are open to selling Toney this summer – the player dubbed a ‘ruthless character’ is currently on England duty.
Both Watkins and Toney are battling it out for that all-important spot at Euro 2024 and Bent was discussing why he prefers the latter.
Ollie Watkins v Ivan Toney
“His form for Aston Villa alone this season, 19 goals and 13 assists, which is absolutely bonkers,” said Bent. “He has been outstanding.
“But we are basically going off on the last two internationals for Ollie Watkins (on if he should go to Euro 2024) – I hope Watkins goes. You can’t have a season like this for your club. Aston Villa finishing in the Champions League and you don’t go.
On who he would take at Arsenal: “I am probably going to go Toney. It’s the way we play. I think link-up play, I think Toney is slightly ahead. But movement and pace, Watkins has got it. I think finishing as well. It’s a flip of a coin. Out of the two, I would say Watkins is more deserving of going because of the goals and the season he has had. But Toney against Belgium was very, very impressive.”
Ivan Toney, James Trafford, Bukayo Saka and Jarell Quansah of England in action during a training session at Spurs Lodge on June 04, 2024 in London...
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Who should go to Euro 2024?
The squad size has been increased from 23 to 26, which does improve the chances of both Watkins and Toney going to Euro 2024.
But it isn’t guaranteed, and in truth, with Harry Kane as your striker, and given that he is reliable when it comes to fitness, why do you need to take three strikers?
That means one of Watkins and Toney will be axed, with the Villa man not impressing during England’s recent friendly win over Bosnia.
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