After a difficult night against West Ham United, it’s now become very clear just how much Mikel Arteta needs Ivan Toney at Arsenal.
Arsenal have often been linked with a January move for Toney, and they now need to act on their ambition.
Despite some clever squad building in the summer, Arteta’s squad still has some glaring weaknesses when compared to the likes of Manchester City.
And as he has with his recruitment of David Raya, the Arsenal boss now needs to conduct some ruthless business.
Ivan Toney’s arrival at the Emirates would represent an excellent start.
Eddie Nketiah’s hat-trick against Sheffield United on Saturday did slightly paper over the cracks in Arsenal’s forward line.
Nketiah has brilliant qualities, a player loved by the Arsenal faithful, but he hasn’t been consistent enough.
And a stellar showing against the league’s worst side shouldn’t change opinion.
Signing £50m Toney would represent a huge statement for Arteta and Arsenal, and would improve squad depth no end.
Arsenal need to deliver Toney to Arteta in January
Mikel Arteta admirably won the FA Cup very early on in his Arsenal career with the disjointed squad he inherited from Unai Emery.
And he must now be itching for his next.
Moreover, if Arsenal are to compete across all competitions then they simply need better options in their squad.
Two other Premier League players linked with the club, Douglas Luiz and Pedro Neto, would also be massive additions.
Of course, it’s unfeasible to think all three would arrive in the summer, let alone in January.
However, Arsenal do need to make a start.
And if Ivan Toney is remotely available in January then Arsenal need to deliver the striker to Arteta’s project.
The club showed so much ambition in the summer when signing Declan Rice, and they need to do the same now.
Arsenal will obviously need to be aware of their FFP restrictions, but that is something that can be helped by departures.
It’s a tough one for Arsenal fans right now, their squad is full of players that are rightly loved by the club’s faithful.
But those same players may need to now move on to fund the next stage of the club’s project.
Reiss Nelson was one of the only good performers for Arsenal last night, but Neto would be a great upgrade.
Perhaps Raya replacing Ramsdale should be a warning of what’s to come for Arsenal fans.
Accepting the arrival of very good players at the expense of the ones they’ve grown so attached to.
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