Mikel Arteta has blamed Arsenal's limited squad depth for their struggles keeping up with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. Saturday's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa saw Arsenal drop six points behind the leaders,

Arsenal lost further ground on Liverpool in the title race, letting a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa. There were more injuries for Mikel Arteta to deal with before the game when William Saliba was ruled out with a muscular injury. Jurrien Timber covered at centre-back for the first time, with Thomas Partey moving to right-back.

However, on day 29, Arsenal tabled a £60 million bid to sign Watkins from Aston Villa, but that offer was rejected by Unai Emery’s side. Arsenal are expected to make another bid for Watkins, and Mikel Arteta’s previous comments about the England striker explains why he’s so keen to sign him.

Arsenal's lack of squad depth was exposed as Aston Villa came from 2-0 down to draw in the Premier League on Saturday against an injury-depleted side at the Emirates Stadium

Mikel Arteta wasn't happy with a decision during Arsenal's Premier League clash with Aston Villa, with the Gunners desperate for three points following title rivals Liverpool's late victory

Arsenal managed Mikel Arteta refused to criticise VAR but slammed the defending for Ollie Watkins' equaliser in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said his team were "nowhere near the standards" demanded of them after surrendering a two-goal lead against Aston Villa.

He was not even in the squad after suffering a hamstring injury in the 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in midweek. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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

Arsenal's bid for Ollie Watkins so late in the January transfer window shows a lack of forward planning at the North London club.

Arsenal, which has faced problems in the forward line due to the lack of sharpness from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, sees Watkins as an ideal solution to boost their attack. However, Aston Villa, who recently loaned Jhon Durán to Al-Nassr, is not willing to lose another key attacker in the middle of the season.