Jermaine Pennant has told Arsenal that they have to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney in January if they want to challenge for the Premier League.
Yesterday’s defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup was compounded by the fact that Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus was once again ruled out due to injury.
Speaking on TalkSPORT (8/1 8:10am), Pennant suggested that without a top-class centre-forward, Mikel Arteta’s side simply couldn’t challenge for the league title.
The FA Cup offered Arteta a fantastic opportunity to compete for some silverware this season.
They arguably had the toughest draw possible facing league leaders Liverpool, but the visitors were without Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Unfortunately, their poor finishing cost them and despite creating plenty of very good chances, it felt inevitable that they would lose the tie once Jakub Kiwior’s glanced header left Aaron Ramsdale stranded.
Pennant urges Arsenal to sign Toney
Asked about who the Gunners should be targeting this month, Pennant said: “Yeah, I think Ivan Toney would be first choice, I think he would fit into that team perfectly.
“His great work-rate, his off-the-ball, his movement, his build-up play, his finishing, we’ve all seen it would work fantastic for Arsenal.
“But they’ve got their best accountant, their best people around to make deal happen. I’m sure if there is any issue with FFP they can make things work.
“There’s deals that can be done that can get over that line. But it would be really crazy if Arsenal carry on this season without a top-number-nine striker.
“It would be like throwing the league away because they have got a great chance to challenge for it, to win it, they won’t if they don’t get a striker, it’s as simple as that.”
Toney nearing a return to action
Despite being banned for the entirety of the season thus far, Ivan Toney’s stock seems to have risen over the past few months.
It’s becoming more and more difficult for top teams to find a forward who can score consistent goals in the Premier League.
The 27-year-old has 32 top-flight goals in the past two seasons and as Pennant suggests, Toney’s all-round play suits Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta has already addressed whether his side will enter the market this month.
If their poor form continues, he might be forced to act and go all out to sign Toney as long as it doesn’t put them at risk of failing Financial Fair Play.
Arteta’s decisions yesterday spell bad news for Nketiah
With Arsenal struggling to test Alisson yesterday despite creating so many opportunities, you have to wonder what Eddie Nketiah must have been thinking on the bench.
He started their previous game against Fulham but barely had a kick and Arteta didn’t turn to him until the 81st minute.
Nketiah has been linked with a move away from Arsenal and if as Pennant suggests they do turn to Toney, he would have to consider his future at the Emirates.
He would fall below the England international and Jesus in the pecking order and is at a stage of his career where he needs to be playing regular football.
The next few weeks are likely to have a huge impact on Arsenal’s current and potential future seasons.
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