Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was keen to sign Ollie Watkins during the January transfer window but was ultimately denied by the financial decision-makers above him. New reports have cast light on Arteta's influence on transfers at the Emirates after the Gunners failed to recruit any new players in the winter window.

Arsenal are reportedly ready to offload four current first-team stars in a bid to fund a major transfer splurge in the summer, with Mikel Arteta eyeing up additions in multiple areas

One of Williams' international team-mates in Martin Zubimendi is tipped to join Arsenal this summer after several years of links. Arteta is known to be an admirer and he showed how impressive he can be at the base of the midfield, coming in for Rodri during the Euros and excelling.