“He’s better than Halaand and Mbappe because he never allows Premier league defenders to rest whenever the ball is with him, he’s my favorite Arsenal player”- Aston villa star Ollie Waktins names the Arsenal star he loves watching all the time – Not Bukayo Saka
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, currently in outstanding form with six Premier League goals and five assists this season, recently shared his list of the top five Premier League strikers of all time.
Watkins, who has earned consecutive England call-ups, highlighted the players who inspired him throughout his career.
Having scored 11 goals across all competitions, Watkins has become a formidable force in the English top-flight. His journey in football includes stints at Exeter City, a spell at non-league side Weston Super Mare, and moves to Brentford and, ultimately, Aston Villa.
In a recent interview with BT Sport, Watkins unveiled his top five choices, starting with former Spurs forward Jermain Defoe as his fifth pick.
Defoe, with 302 career goals, notably played for Tottenham, West Ham, and Sunderland before retiring last year.
Watkins then recognized the prolific Robin van Persie as the fourth best Premier League striker.
The Dutchman, a legend at Arsenal, later moved to Manchester United, contributing significantly to the club’s 13th Premier League crown.
Surprisingly, Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former Manchester United striker, secured the third spot in Watkins’ rankings.
Van Nistelrooy’s remarkable 95 Premier League goals in 150 appearances during his time at Old Trafford left a lasting impression.
In second place, Watkins acknowledged Alan Shearer, who still holds the all-time Premier League goals record with an impressive 260 goals.
Taking the top spot in Watkins’ list is Arsenal icon Thierry Henry, a player he openly “idolizes.” Henry, who scored 175 goals for Arsenal and won the Premier League twice, remains a legendary figure in the club’s history, even earning a bronze statue outside the Emirates Stadium.
As Watkins continues to make his mark in the Premier League, his admiration for these strikers reflects the impact and legacy left by some of the game’s most prolific goal scorers.