Brentford’s Ollie Watkins admitted it’s his dream to play in the Premiership with Arsenal.

The 24-year-old forward was speaking at the London Football Awards on Thursday night after picking up the EFL Footballer of the Year award.

With 22 goals in the Championship this season the Bees striker has fired Thomas Frank’s side into play-off contention.

Promotion to the Premiership would be the perfect gift as the West London outfit move into their new stadium for the start of next season, and Watkins admitted playing in the highest tier is his ambition.

“The dream is to play with Brentford in the Premier League and hopefully that can happen,” he told Standard Sport.

“We have ten games left, we want to give our all and do something special.”

Brentford have flirted with the automatic places since their upturn in form at the back end of last year, largely thanks to the former Exeter man’s goals. His form alerted many of the top-flight, including West Ham and Crystal Palace, which started rumours of a move away from Griffin Park.

Watkins revealed he was unfazed by any move away, but admitted on Thursday that things change in football.

“I don’t know what’s around the corner but I am really happy at Brentford,” he continued.

“There are good people, good players and I am really happy there (Brentford) so hopefully we get promoted and we are playing Premier League football next year.”

Arsenal?

Watkins has made it no secret that he’s an Arsenal fan, openly admitting that Thierry Henry was his idol growing up. Asked if he harboured any ambitions of playing for Mikel Arteta’s side at the Emirates, Watkins replied:

“That’s the dream to play for Arsenal one day.

“But you know, it’s a long shot.”