Theo Walcott has encouraged Arsenal to sign Ollie Watkins this summer, with Mikel Arteta in the market for a new striker. The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the 'big six' recently as he continues to impress for Aston Villa.

Watkins, who sees his contract at Villa Park expire in 2028, has featured 45 times for Unai Emery's side this term, scoring 26 goals and providing ten assists. His impressive performances have not only attracted the interest of some top clubs, but also the attention of Gareth Southgate.

The Englishman was named in the latest Three Lions squad over the March international break, starting against Brazil in Harry Kane's absence. With the European championships just around the corner, Watkins will be eager to end the season well and secure himself a ticket to Germany.

Speaking to Premier League Productions, Walcott heaped tremendous praise on the £42.7million-rated talisman. The former Arsenal ace compared Watkins to Thierry Henry and explained why he'd be the perfect signing for Mikel Arteta this summer.

Discussing Arsenal's plans, Walcott said: "You look at their goals tally right now. They will invest in that player and that player could well have been playing on the opposite side."

Then, when asked if he was referencing Watkins, he added: "I am indeed. I feel he is the sort of player that Arsenal would look to. What I really like about Ollie Watkins is that, you look at his style and you think he is a winger.

"He reminds me, and it’s one of the best compliments I am going to give him, but like a Thierry Henry. Played out on the left a lot. He wanted to be a forward, but drifted out on the left – he’s such a threat on the counter. He is playing at the top of his game and it would be refreshing to see if he stays at the club.

"There were warning signs when he hit the post. I feel like, when he goes through, he is going to score, that’s how confident he is playing right now. There will be a lot of teams sniffing, I am pretty sure right now. He is very different."

Speaking on talkSPORT, Darren Bent urged Arsenal to sign Alexander Isak, who has also been likened to Henry in the past. The former Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur striker said: "Again, I am not saying that they are the same, but the way he finishes, that side foot, is like Thierry, just caress it into the far corner.

"But yeah, if there was one centre-forward out there you said who should Arsenal buy, it’s him," added Bent. "Eighty to one-hundred million pounds, and I would happily pay it. He can do everything. He can take the ball in tight spaces, he can create, he can even come off the left."

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