Arsenal were dealt a blow as their rivals Tottenham Hotspur failed to take points off Manchester City, but another club were also happy.
Spurs’ failure to win against Man City not only meant that Pep Guardiola’s side have the edge in the title race, but that they also failed to secure a Champions League spot for next season despite the gleeful chants from their fans as they watched their own team lose at home.
Aston Villa, under former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, will now finish in fourth place, and compete in the competition for the first time since 1983.
Man City’s win sparked scenes of wild celebration as Aston Villa players and staff watched on at their awards dinner, but Arsenal fans were quick to notice that their star striker Ollie Watkins showed little emotion compared to his teammates, and have perhaps realised why.
Arsenal fans notice Ollie Watkins reaction to Man City win
Amid the scenes of jubilation from Emery and his players, Watkins looked a fairly subdued figure, and Arsenal fans now believe that this is because of his previously admitted admiration for the club.
“Watkins is a real arsenal fan, look at his face,” one fan pointed out.
“Ollie Watkins… deep in his heart, he is probably still an Arsenal fan…” another posted.
“You can tell Watkins is Arsenal,” another fan replied.
Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins is an Arsenal fan
Speaking at the London Football Awards in 2020, Watkins admitted that he was a childhood fan of Arsenal, as he was playing for Brentford at the time.
“That’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day. But, you know, it’s a long shot,” he stated.
“I’m an Arsenal fan so Thierry Henry was my [idol] he’s unbelievable to watch.”
“He was the idol growing up really.”
Watkins did score in Arsenal’s only league defeat of 2024 in a home loss to Villa, which dented their title chances, and rival fans have pointed this out.
“Friendly reminder that it was actually an Arsenal fan that prevented them from winning the league for the first time in two whole decades. Ollie Watkins you have my respect Sir,” a Man United fan posted.
Man City’s win did benefit Aston Villa, but it does mean that Arsenal now need a miracle from David Moyes and West Ham if they are to win a first Premier League title since 2004.