Ollie Watkins

[Smithy]

I think he gets stick because for the chances he takes, there can be some pretty good chances that he doesn't take. Of course, you can say that about most strikers and if Ollie did take those chances, his stats would be so good that we probably wouldn't be able to prevent him leaving for someone higher in the pecking order.

Absolutely.  Ollie was perfect for a newly-promoted team trying to consolidate in the premier league.  Then he upped his game to be perfect for a side chasing European football, and again to spearhead a side looking to finish in the top 4.  Can he lead the line in a side with genuine title ambitions? Who knows. Arsenal certainly appear to think so.

Ollie has met every single challenge placed in front of him, while never dropping below the minimum the fans expect - which is 100% total effort for every minute of play.  While he might not have the clinical finishing of some of the elite strikers in world football, he's still a good finisher and his work rate is literally second to none - and that adds to the quality of our team.  We could replace him with a better striker, and potentially lose effectiveness as a team.

I do think we've been a bit spoiled in the last few years, and we'll definitely miss his work rate when he's gone.  Whoever follows him as our 'main centre-forward' in the coming years is going to suffer by comparison when they go a few games without scoring ("at least Ollie always gave 100% when it wasn't falling for him" and so on).

[eamonn]

I've been a(n occasionally noisy) advocate of selling him for a couple of years. The thing that sealed it most recently was at the end of last season when he was on 19 league goals with six or seven games left and he didn't get to 20. It's kind of meaningless, but a proper, serious striker would've made sure he got to that figure at least, by hook or by crook. There's just something missing for the level we're aspiring to be at.

That, and he couldn't trap a cement factory.

It just saddens me that your in-real-life link to the lad hasn't brought you closer to him. Instead you've been quite the opposite - a ruthless bitch.

[Footy-Vill]

It actually good for Watkins to be getting a break and can go training in Dubai for 4 days .
We have over 11 players away on international duty it good to have some actual first teamer like Oli stay with club

[Pat McMahon]

Also, Ollie gave perhaps his best ever performance v Bournemouth the week after his 19th but didn't get on the scoresheet.

Great shout. He was unreal that day, only 3 days after the drama of Lille.

[Sexual Ealing]

I've been a(n occasionally noisy) advocate of selling him for a couple of years. The thing that sealed it most recently was at the end of last season when he was on 19 league goals with six or seven games left and he didn't get to 20. It's kind of meaningless, but a proper, serious striker would've made sure he got to that figure at least, by hook or by crook. There's just something missing for the level we're aspiring to be at.

That, and he couldn't trap a cement factory.

It just saddens me that your in-real-life link to the lad hasn't brought you closer to him. Instead you've been quite the opposite - a ruthless bitch.

I have it on good authority that Mateta will be much more active on the village fete committee.

[N'ZMAV]

I think Unai will cash in on Watkins this summer and try and sign someone who takes more of the big chances we create - we do create enough, and Watkins misses too many - despite his amazing work rate and a good goal scoring record. Imagine if he could have score 4 or 5 of those big chances missed? he'd go down as a legend and would have wiped Gabby off the face of the earth already

[PaulWinch again]

He’s overall record is very good and it’s not just about goals. He leads the line very well and also assists plenty. Replacing him would be incredibly hard.

[N'ZMAV]

He’s overall record is very good and it’s not just about goals. He leads the line very well and also assists plenty. Replacing him would be incredibly hard.

it would be very tough,and expensive.

[tomd2103]

He’s overall record is very good and it’s not just about goals. He leads the line very well and also assists plenty. Replacing him would be incredibly hard.

Agree, but I also can see it happening, especially if Arsenal come back in with a similar offer to the one in January. 

[VillaTim]

£60m isn't enough. £80m is more realistic.

[Brend'Watkins]

Ollie doesn’t get stick as such. He gets questioned on some of his finishing in the same way every player in every position gets scrutinised when they have a below par performance . I’m sure he’d admit himself that it’s an area of his game he should strive to improve to be genuinely considered a top player. I still love him as much as I’m frustrated with him in some games.

[PaulWinch again]

Not sure that’s true (at least for some) - I think there is a disproportionate focus on what Ollie doesn’t do rather than focus on what he does.

[Clampy]

That's true. There seemed to be more discussion on the chance he missed last week than the goal he scored.

[Pete3206]

There does seem do be a section of supporters who focus on his misses as an argument for replacing him. His goal returns are not exactly shabby and his overall contribution to the team is fantastic. The club should be doing everything they can to secure his services for the remainder of his contract and if Arsenal really want him, they pay through the nose given that he's got 3 years left on the current deal.

[colin69]

Ollie’s not been playing at his best recently and he may not be the top class striker we need to progress further, but he’s been a fantastic fit for us and we’ve been a fantastic fit for him.
I’m not sure he’d be as good anywhere else.