Theo Walcott has an intriguing suggestion as to how Arsenal's woes up front could play into the hands of Evan Ferguson.
Walcott's former club are in the hunt for the Premier League title for a third season running but, just as in the two previous campaigns, are coming up short in the forward department once again.
With Kai Havertz misfiring and Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the remainder of the season, Arsenal desperately need a new centre-forward if they are to compete with Liverpool in the second half of the season.
Speaking exclusively to Balls.ie at the launch of Guinness' #TransferThatPint campaign, Walcott explained why he felt Ollie Watkins was a perfect fit for Arsenal.
They're in the hunt...nobody expected Liverpool to be at this level, Man City as well we didn't expect that. They're doing this without a recognised number 9 as well.
The missing link is the same topic constantly, the number 9 for Arsenal. They'll play differently with a number 9, they do things out of the ordinary, they win games when you're not expecting something to happen.
Of course, Ollie Watkins has been the latest transfer situation. For me, he fits the bill. Number 14 shirt is available - I wore that, Henry wore that - he's an Arsenal fan. If they can do that, it would be incredible.
I think it's the only time. If they want to get it done they have to do it now...it's quite hard to do stuff in January.
Watkins has already been the subject of a bid from Arsenal this window, with Aston Villa rejecting it with haste.
Arsenal icon Walcott went on to explain why he thinks the Gunners acquiring Watkins could present an opportunity for Irishman Evan Ferguson.
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Theo Walcott assesses Arsenal's weak point amid Evan Ferguson speculation
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Pictured is Premier League legend, Theo Walcott, as Guinness announce the new #TransferThatPint campaign. Fans in Ireland can trade their out-of-shape glass for a chance to win a limited-edition Waterford Crystal Guinness pint before the transfer deadline at 23:00 on February 3 — enter now at TransferThatPint.com. Photo: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
After Theo Walcott proposed Ollie Watkins as the ideal striker for Arsenal, Evan Ferguson was put forward as another potential option.
"You know what," Walcott mused, "If Arsenal get Ollie Watkins, I think Villa would be a good shout!
"With [Ferguson], he's a player who's had some injuries and found it hard to get back in the Brighton team with the players who have come in...they've done really well and he's found it really hard. It's always going to be difficult to get back into a team. He probably needs to go out somewhere else.
"I think Arsenal...the expectation on a 20-year-old. The pressure of being the number 9 being put on him when he's not played a lot of football...they'd probably be more inclined to go for a [Liam] Delap player than a Ferguson. In time, he could build towards that. He might have had his opportunity a few years ago with Chelsea.
"Look, he's still got loads of time to get his move or to work his way back in the team. He's got the World Cup ahead so he'll have to take that into account personally."
Like Ferguson, Walcott burst onto the scene at an extremely young age. The Englishman was famously named in the squad for the 2006 World Cup at the age of just 16 and was a major figure at Arsenal at just 18.
Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly in the lead in the hunt for Evan Ferguson's signature. It is a move that Theo Walcott thinks would be perfect for the Irishman's development, should it come to pass.
That's cruel. I'm just going to say go to Villa and we'll get Ollie Watkins! I would say he's got to do what's right for his football career.
I'd be interested to see the Leverkusen side of things with Xabi Alonso. Even if it's just six months he gets with him, [Alonso] might be moving on to Madrid. To experience his philosophy, the way he plays, the players he's developed...Nathan Tella who I was at Southampton with has just developed into a player who's getting better and better. He's obviously doing something right.
A lot of players like to go abroad now, I think they shied away from that a few years ago. I'd be really intrigued if that developed.
Irish fans will certainly hope that Theo Walcott is right when it comes to Evan Ferguson.
Whether the move is away from the Premier League or not, it is clear the 20-year-old needs rejuvenation after a tough spell with Brighton.