Ollie Watkins has disclosed the contents of a confidential conversation with Declan Rice amidst calls for Arsenal to secure his services from Aston Villa.
With Arsenal on the hunt for a new striker, Watkins has been exceptional for Villa, tallying 19 goals and 12 assists in 34 Premier League appearances this season.
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Former Arsenal player Theo Walcott has advised the club to pursue Watkins in the next transfer window, likening his style to that of Arsenal great Thierry Henry.
This suggestion follows Mikael Silvestre’s preference for Arsenal to opt for Watkins over Brentford’s Ivan Toney, who was a primary target for the club in January.
Watkins, who received commendations from Arsenal icon Henry earlier in March, has now shared insights into his recent private discussions with Arsenal’s midfielder Rice.
Their exchange did not touch on the possibility of Watkins’ transfer to Arsenal but rather focused on Villa’s prospects in the Europa Conference League, drawing from Rice’s experience of winning the competition with West Ham the previous year.
Ahead of Villa’s Europa Conference League semi-final game against Olympiacos, Watkins told TNT Sports: ‘I spoke to Dec (Declan Rice) at England.
‘[He was] confident that we’re going to win it. We’re confident ourselves but you never know what’s going to happen.
‘You never know with these teams. Lille put us under a lot of pressure and it’s going to be difficult but I think we have got the squad to do it.’
Watkins also spoke of his love for one of Arsenal’s biggest heroes as the 28-year-old added: ‘My idol was Thierry Henry.
‘I always felt when he cut inside from the left and bending it in, that was always… I scored one against Luton! But Henry did it frequently.
‘I’m not on that level yet. But he’s someone I wanted to be like. I have my own style of how I play, but growing up he was the main man.
‘I personally think he is the best player to play in the Premier League. He could do it all and he was untouchable, really.’
