A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta leaves Bayern Munich ‘afraid’ in their £51m transfer race and he also gets an injury boost as a star returns to training.
Arsenal transfer target Ivan Toney’s head is ‘all over the place’ at Brentford
Neil Ruddock feels Arsenal target Ivan Toney’s head is ‘all over the place’ after the Brentford striker’s recent transfer revelations. The 27-year-old enjoyed a goalscoring return to Premier League action last week. But his future at the Gtech Community Stadium remains uncertain.
Toney helped the Bees seal a 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest in his first game back from an eight-month FA ban. The striker scored a direct free-kick to draw Brentford level only 19 minutes into the game. He bagged 20 in 33 games last term to become an England forward.
Arsenal have shown strong interest in Toney’s transfer with Arteta identifying the Brentford star as his top striker target. The Mirror also notes that Toney shares Arteta’s desire for the transfer to Arsenal. But the Evening Standard adds that the Bees are demanding £80-100m.
Toney has not rubbished the suggestions he wants to quit Brentford, either. The striker told Sky Sports that it is ‘obvious’ that he wants to join a ‘top club’. Even though Toney also said he wanted to repay Brentford for standing by him. So, Ruddock feels Toney’s head is a mess.
Ruddock told the Express: “The other day Toney said he wanted to repay Brentford’s loyalty, and the next day he says he wants to move to a bigger club.
“It feels like his head is up his own backside. But I just don’t think he knows what he wants. His head is all over the place. You can see that with the kind of quotes he’s coming out with.
“What he is saying doesn’t make any sense… I’d not be surprised if Toney’s got Frank telling him to stay for another year and try and get into Europe. Then in the other ear, he’s got other people telling him to move somewhere bigger… No wonder he’s confused!”
Read more about what Ruddock has had to say about Arsenal target Toney, here.
Arsenal leave Bayern Munich ‘afraid’ in the Martin Zubimendi transfer race
Arsenal are leaving Bayern Munich feeling ‘afraid’ in the race for Martin Zubimendi’s transfer from Real Sociedad. That is according to Christian Falk, who reports Der FCB view the 24-year-old as their top midfield target as he has a €60m (£51m) release clause in his contract.
Allianz Arena chiefs are pushing hard to convince the four-cap Spain international of a move to Bavaria. But Bayern Munich are now becoming increasingly concerned after hearing that Arsenal boss Arteta is already speaking directly with Zubimendi about his potential transfer.
Arteta also gives Arsenal a big advantage over Bayern Munich as he is also Spanish. Der FCB were ‘very sure’ that they would lead the race for Zubimendi’s transfer before the Gunners entered the mix. Now, Allianz Arena chiefs fear the Emirates Stadium side will steal a move.
Read more about what Falk has had to say about the Zubimendi transfer race, here.
Arsenal welcome Thomas Partey back to training following his injury
Arsenal boss Arteta has also landed another boost this week after welcoming Thomas Partey back to training at London Colney following his injury issues. The 30-year-old has not played a second since the start of October having ultimately needed surgery to fix a thigh problem.
Partey suffered the blow in training just days after returning to fitness following a groin issue he sustained in August. The midfielder suffered the initial injury against Fulham while having to fill in as a right-back. He has only played another 15 minutes since the 2-2 draw in August.
But Arsenal have confirmed that Partey is, finally, back in training before their Tuesday night trip to Nottingham Forest. The Gunners are not in action this weekend after losing at home to Liverpool in the FA Cup. The Reds will return to the Emirates in the league on February 4.
Read more about Partey returning to training after the Arsenal star’s injury, here.
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