‘Arsenal have just withdrawn their bid’ – TNT Sports tease Ollie Watkins as he gives away free-kick while taking penalty

ARSENAL fans have joked they never wanted Ollie Watkins anyway – after the England star spectacularly missed a penalty.

The Aston Villa striker, 29, was the subject of an audacious £60million bid from the Gunners on Wednesday.

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Ollie Watkins skied a penalty high over the bar in Villa’s win over Celtic[/caption]

Reuters

The England striker had been the subject of a huge bid from Arsenal earlier in the day[/caption] https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1884715886805701024

Watkins started Villa’s Champions League showdown with Celtic just hours after the approach was rebuffed.

And he got on the scoresheet in a thrilling 4-2 win at a deafening Villa Park.

But Watkins was left wanting the ground to swallow him up after missing a penalty just after the hour-mark.

Villa led 3-2 and hoped to restore their two-goal advantage on the night.

Watkins sauntered up the spot, but took an almighty tumble as he went to make contact.

The ball went flying high into the Holte End, to incredulous groans from the terraces.

To make matters even worse, Celtic were given a freekick as Watkins was adjudged to have kicked the ball twice.

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On the TNT coverage, commentator Adam Summerton gasped: “Oh my goodness me. Would you believe that?”

Co-pundit Matt Smith joked: “Arsenal have just withdrawn their bid.”

Fans flocked to X to react to the miss, with one writing: “I just spat out my drink laughing.”

Another said: “Ok let’s change the offer to 45m.”

A third said: “Move over John Terry!”

While a fourth joked: “Definitely made for Arsenal. Sign him up!”

Ultimately, Watkins’ miss was not to prove costly as Villa booked their place in the Champions League last 16.

The former Brentford striker would turn provider for the fourth goal, assisting Morgan Rogers to wrap up the contest.

Unai Emery’s side will now take on either Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon or Club Brugge in the knockouts.

Watkins looks set to stay at Villa despite interest from the Gunners.

Arsenal’s bid was rejected by the club on Wednesday while strike partner Jhon Duran is set for a move to Saudi Arabia.

The Colombian will undertake a medical on Thursday ahead of a £65m transfer to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.

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