Arsenal’s scouts are regarded as some of the best in the Premier League, with the north London side unearthing some true gems over the years.
From international signings like Gabriel Martinelli to discovering talents for the academy such as Bukayo Saka, Arsenal scouts have a keen eye when it comes to finding players who could one day go on to become superstars.
With Ethan Nwaneri the latest Hale End star to make a name for himself, a lot of credit must go to Arsenal’s scouts for the great work they have done over the years, with more potential world-class targets likely being assessed as we speak.
However, sometimes Arsenal don’t help themselves by not following on the advice of scouts, like what happened in 2017.
Arsenal snub Ollie Watkins in 2017 after being watched by scouts
As reported by the Daily Express over seven years ago, Arsenal scouted then-Exeter City youngster Ollie Watkins, who at the time was being courted by some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League after a sensational breakout year with the EFL side.
With the now-Aston Villa star scoring against the Gunners on the weekend in what was to be a 2-0 loss for Arsenal, it’s safe to say that the north London side will now be kicking themselves for not signing Watkins when they had the chance.
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With 26 goals in all competitions this season, Watkins has exploded into one of the best strikers in England, with former Premier League midfielder Matty Holland lauding the 28-year-old as a ‘top-drawer’ forward for Villa.
Indeed, Arsenal’s problems at centre-forward could be a thing of the past had the north London side moved forward with their scouts, with Watkins now one of the most prolific strikers in all of Europe and a true Premier League star.
Arsenal should kick themselves for blunder seven years in the making
Arsenal are no strangers to missing out on top players, with Arsene Wenger’s catalogue of stars he claimed to have almost signed arguably the greatest the game of football has ever seen.
Yet there will be some extra sting in the Gunners missing out on Watkins, who on Sunday came back to haunt the north London side with an efficient performance for Villa that could now put Arsenal out of the Premier League title race.
With the striker also someone who could have thrived in Mikel Arteta’s side, Arsenal will be kicking themselves for not taking a chance on Watkins when they has the chance, with the England international now an enemy for the Gunners.