Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has refused to be drawn on the club's chase of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins after his side's defeat of Girona in the Champions League on Wednesday night

Mikel Arteta faces the media following Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League clash with Girona. The win guaranteed what we already effectively already knew and that the Gunners will skip the play-off round and progress to the last-16.

Arsenal have left it late in the transfer window but they are trying to sign a striker. It was the case before Gabriel Jesus was ruled out for the season with injury and is still the case now. The timing of the news of a bid for Ollie Watkins should not be confused,

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta heaped praise on midfielder Ethan Nwaneri after the 17-year-old produced another fine performance to help his side secure a spot in the Champions League round of 16 with a victory at Girona.

Arsenal goalscorer Ethan Nwaneri said his match-winning strike against Girona that marked his full Champions League debut was “one of the highlights” of his career. The 17-year-old became the second-youngest English scorer in the competition on Wednesday after Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham when he curled in a fine effort just before half-time in Catalonia to complete a 2-1 comeback win from a goal down and ensure his side’s progression.