The January transfer is open and one team who you expect to be busy is Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Both in terms of incomings and outgoings. One name at the top of Arsenal’s transfer wishlist, or at least the fan’s perspective, is Brentford hitman, Ivan Toney.
There are strong cries for Arsenal to sign Ivan Toney, but Michael Owen isn’t so sure.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker questioned if the currently banned forward is good enough for the title-chasing side, as he told Premier League Productions (01/01/24 at 11:00 pm).
Arsenal’s issues have been the lack of goals from their front three this season and their inability to score goals from open play.
Gabriel Martinelli doesn’t look like the same player as last season and only has two to his name this time around.
Whilst Bukayo Saka is in and around the same level, the biggest pressure is on Gabriel Jesus, who is missing big chances and only has three Premier League goals this term.
Michael Owen was keen to point out that Ivan Toney has scored 60% of his goals from penalties. Once again that wouldn’t help Arsenal’s cause if he joined them.
Should Arsenal sign Ivan Toney?
“I think it has to be a priority for them, at some point,” said Owen about Arsenal signing a striker. “If the opportunity comes right now, then yes, take it.
“The next question is ‘right, who is going to improve it? Who is going to be that man?’ Ivan Toney has been linked to Arsenal over the last few months. His numbers are very good. But he does score an awful lot of penalties. You mentioned the figure earlier that about 60% of his goals are penalties, which is an awful lot.
“And is he good enough? He’s a very, very good player. To be an Arsenal centre-forward going for the league. I just reeled off three names before. We are talking about some of the best strikers ever in recent times. World-class players. Is he of that level? It’s a big question mark.
“He has done it for Brentford, but whether he could up his game at Arsenal is different.”
Brentford simply can’t sell Ivan Toney
Something has got to give here because it seems as though the squad needs help.
The issue Arsenal have with Toney is that Brentford are struggling and now losing games for fun. They are hovering above the Premier League’s relegation zone.
So, why on earth would Thomas Frank allow the Brentford board to entertain the sale of Toney this month?
This surely makes life more difficult for Arsenal because their neighbours will just then add more millions onto his price tag.
And when you bring FFP into the picture, that surely makes life even more difficult to sign Toney.
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