Unai Emery insists that Ollie Watkins has proven his ability to score goals, and that the striker’s reduced output this season is largely due to chance creation and tactical factors.

Watkins has scored only eight times this season, finding the net in just six matches across 38 appearances in all competitions.

He has also recorded just one assist this term, which came against Manchester United in December, despite having tallied 21 assists over the previous two campaigns.

Watkins’ place in the side is now under pressure following the January arrival of Tammy Abraham, who rejoined the club in a £18 million deal from Besiktas.

“I have massive respect for Ollie Watkins and massive respect for Tammy Abraham, they are both fantastic strikers,” Emery said. “Tomorrow, one or another, or both together, they must perform and focus with their gameplan to achieve three points.

“Of course, our challenge is how we can help our offensive players to create better chances or more attacking options to score goals. The responsibility is not only for them.

“It is about the structure we have, how we...