{"id":6132,"date":"2025-02-04T18:20:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T19:20:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/preforeclosurefortunes.com\/?p=6132"},"modified":"2025-02-04T20:01:31","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T20:01:31","slug":"ian-wright-claims-top-striker-wasnt-even-an-option-for-arsenal-in-january","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/preforeclosurefortunes.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/04\/ian-wright-claims-top-striker-wasnt-even-an-option-for-arsenal-in-january\/","title":{"rendered":"Ian Wright claims top striker \u2018wasn\u2019t even an option\u2019 for Arsenal in January"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Arsenal legend Ian Wright is ‘pleased’ the club at least tried to sign Ollie Watkins (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ian Wright<\/a> says he was ‘pleased’ Arsenal<\/a> at least made an attempt to sign Ollie Watkins<\/a> this winter, while speculating that Alexander Isak<\/a> ‘wasn’t even an option’ for his former club.<\/p>\n

Mikel Arteta confirmed the Gunners were exploring avenues to bolster their attack<\/a> in the wake of Gabriel Jesus’ season-ending injury<\/a>, with the Spaniard forced to rely on Kai Havertz in the false No.9 role<\/a> this term. <\/p>\n

But the window closed without Arsenal making a single signing, which Arteta admits was ‘disappointing’<\/a>, given the lack of viable options he has at his disposal up front.<\/p>\n

Watkins emerged as Arsenal’s primary target in the days approaching the deadline – and the north London outfit tested Aston Villa’s resolve with a bid in the region of \u00a360million for the England forward.<\/p>\n

But Villa rejected the ambitious offer out of hand, determined to keep hold of their star striker after losing Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr.<\/p>\n

A resounding 5-1 victory over champions Manchester City<\/a> arrived at the perfect time to silence those fans criticising Arsenal for failing to strengthen while they had the chance in January.<\/p>\n

The likes of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Dusan Vlahovic and Yoane Wissa were all linked in recent weeks, as well as Watkins and Isak, but Wright believes it was ‘always going to be tough’ for Arsenal to bring in the calibre of player they desired.<\/p>\n

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Arsenal made an unsuccessful bid for Watkins towards the end of the window (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Isak ‘wasn’t even an option’ for Arsenal, says Wright (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

‘It was always going to be tough for us. Isak wasn’t even an option,’ the legendary ex-Arsenal striker said on the Wrighty’s House podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n

‘When we’re talking about strikers, it’s a gamble and I don’t care who you are.<\/p>\n

‘Darwin Nunez, Rasmus Hojlund… Isak went for \u00a363m, he’s the only one in recent times that I’m looking at as a striker who has probably doubled his money.<\/p>\n

‘You look at Nicolas Jackson. For \u00a332m, I’m happy with that. But when you start getting past \u00a350m, you have to start thinking that it’s a pure gamble.<\/p>\n

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