Do Arsenal Need Ivan Toney Signing To Catch Manchester City?

Only Chelsea have spent more money in the transfer market over the last two seasons than Arsenal. The Gunners have shown ambition by committing more than £350m to the reconstruction of their squad and with Mikel Arteta’s team now closer than ever to a Premier
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League title it seems they are willing to spend even more.

Recent reports claim Arsenal are preparing to make a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney in the January transfer window. The 27-year-old is currently suspended from playing due to violations of The FA’s betting rules, but the Gunners have seemingly seen enough from him to suggest he’s worth the £60m fee Brentford reportedly want for him.

It was only last year that Arsenal signed Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City for a transfer fee of £45m. The Brazilian was signed to lead the line for the Gunners having become something of a peripheral figure at the Etihad Stadium. Jesus, however, is a different sort of attacking frontman to Toney.

While Jesus is a facilitator, bringing teammates into the game in the final third of the pitch through his movement and appreciation of space, Toney is a more orthodox centre forward. He is a frontman in the traditional sense, although his all-round game is also good enough for him to play a role in possession play.

Arteta has demonstrated a ruthlessness in the transfer market in recent times. Whenever there has been an opportunity for Arsenal to improve their team, the Spaniard has pushed for it. This summer, for example, Declan Rice was signed to replace Granit Xhaka despite the latter enjoying his best season as an Arsenal player last term.

Aaron Ramsdale was Arsenal’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper until David Raya became available and Arteta decided the Brentford number one would be a better fit for his team. It appears Arteta also wants to improve his attacking options despite already boasting one of the best frontlines in the Premier League.

Arsenal made great strides forward last season as they challenged for the Premier League title. Manchester City ultimately crossed the line first, but Arteta wants to use the success of the last 12 months as a platform to achieve even more. City are always looking for ways to improve and so Arsenal must do the same.

Toney would certainly give Arsenal a different dimension in and around the opposition penalty area. He might not be first-choice when everyone is fit, but the 27-year-old might push the Gunners closer to the top of the Premier League table. His cutting edge in front of goal would make Arsenal a sharper team.