Arsenal want to sign a striker before the transfer window shuts and have had an approach turned down for Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins. The club are also long-term admirers of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko, but neither player will move before the deadline.

MIKEL ARTETA says he cannot promise fans that Arsenal will sign a striker before the January deadline. But the Gunners boss has assured them the club are “actively” working on bringing someone in,

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has refused to comment on the club’s interest in Ollie Watkins but says the Gunners’ intentions in the closing days of the transfer market are clear as they chase a striker.

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal, and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta insists the Gunners are doing all they can to add to his squad

Muluneh Animut says: “Arsenal's offer for Ollie Watkins is not serious. They waited until Villa sold Duran and sent their offer to them. They know Villa can't sell both strikers, and they sent their formal offer for the sake of public relations.”

Mikel Arteta remains ‘uncertain’ whether or not David Raya will be fit enough to make his return against Manchester City on Sunday. The Spain international has been in sensational form this season and had been a near ever-present before he was forced to miss Wednesday’s win over Girona.