Credit: Imago
Tue 30 December 2025 22:35, UK
Ollie Watkins riled up supporters from all over the country during Aston Villa’s crushing defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday.
Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery went head-to-head at the Emirates Stadium on 30 December, with both managers charging towards the Premier League title this season.
In the end, it was an absolute massacre for the Gunners, putting four past their opponents, who remain third in the league standings, before Man City face Sunderland on Thursday, 1 January.
Ollie Watkins has long been linked with Arsenal, and he had a chance to prove himself against the club he supports. Sadly for Man City fans, he was far from his best in North London.
While the 30-year-old scored right at the end, he had five shots, four of which were off target, failed to create a single chance, lost 83 per cent of his ground duels, and was dispossessed twice [FotMob].
Credit: Imago
Ollie Watkins misses huge chances vs Arsenal
Having missed some huge chances, fans from multiple clubs accused him of not wanting to score against the club he supports, with one Man City fan saying he “needs to be investigated.”
Ollie Watkins needs to be investigated after this match, brother isn’t even trying to hide the fact that he’s an Arsenal fan
— ⚡️🇧🇼 (@Priceless_MCI) December 30, 2025
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Ollie Watkins is not even hiding the fact he’s an Arsenal fan man.
— TR (@Deji_mide) December 30, 2025
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Another supporter accused Watkins of “sabotaging,” while a Liverpool fan also raised the idea of an investigation after “wasting chances” against top-of-the-league Arsenal.
One even went as far as to suggest “match fixing” due to the number of missed chances. It is safe to say that Premier League supporters are out for blood after the Gunners’ convincing win.
- @propsMCFC: “Watkins needs to be looked at after this game. This is match fixing, you can’t tell me otherwise.”
- @lfc_eddie_: “Watkins needs to be investigated, man. He just decides to keep wasting chances whenever they face Arsenal.”
- @its_tshimo_: “Watkins needs to be investigated for that missed chance, man.”
Watkins’ full stats at the Emirates Stadium
It was clear that the 30-year-old left his shooting boots in the dressing room, only netting from the best part of two yards out in the dying seconds, boosting his xG (Expected Goals) to 1.60.
He also completed just 57 per cent of his passes, completed 50 per cent of his dribbles, hit the woodwork, and committed two fouls, picking up a yellow card with almost the last kick of the game.
Even with his late effort against the Gunners, he has notched just six goals and one assist in 18 Premier League appearances this season, a far cry from his 31 contributions last term.
