Arsenal tried and failed to sign Ollie Watkins after submitting a bid of just £40million this week, which was swiftly rejected by Unai Emery's side.

Unai Emery has confirmed Ollie Watkins has told him he is happy to stay at Aston Villa despite interest from Arsenal with a few days of the winter window remaining.

Unai Emery, fresh from offloading striker Jhon Duran for £77.5m to Al-Nassr, has confirmed that Ollie Watkins will not be moving to Arsenal before the closure of this transfer window

Unai Emery has confirmed Ollie Watkins is happy at Aston Villa after Arsenal saw a bid rejected for the player; Villa do not want to sell Watkins as Jhon Duran edges closer to joining Al Nassr

The Gunners are readying a second bid for the talented England international, but their old boss, Emery, is set to ruin their dreams of signing him. Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Emery has privately told Aston Villa’s board that he wants Watkins to stay in this window.

Watkins is also only the second Villa player after Gabriel Agbonlahor to be directly involved in 100 Premier League goals (61 goals, 39 assists)

Mikel Arteta is a known admirer of Watkins and has turned to the England international as he looks for attacking reinforcements before the transfer deadline. Arsenal are expected to make a second, improved offer for Watkins but Aston Villa boss Emery has no intention of losing him.

Unai Emery says Ollie Watkins ‘happy to stay’ at Aston Villa - The club are reportedly interested in signing Marcus Rashford on loan.

Unai Emery says Ollie Watkins is ‘happy to stay’ at Aston Villa and will not join Premier League rivals Arsenal this January transfer window. Earlier this week, Arsenal make an audacious bid to sign England striker Watkins in an effort to rejuvenate their struggling attack.

Emery said Watkins, who scored in Wednesday’s 4-2 Champions League win over Celtic, is expected to stay. “Yes, he is happy to stay,” he said when asked if Watkins had expressed his desire to remain at Villa Park.

Unai Emery has revealed Ollie Watkins wants to stay at Aston Villa after Arsenal reportedly made a bid for the England striker this week.