Mikel Arteta may come to regret it if Arsenal do not sign a striker before Transfer Deadline Day.
Arsenal have been able to bolster their defensive and midfield contingents this summer, with the arrivals of Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino, respectively.
However, there are still lingering concerns about the attacking options at Mikel Arteta’s disposal.
Ian Wright has urged Arsenal to source a forward, ideally someone who can provide back up for Bukayo Saka on the right flank. However, there is a strong argument that the Gunners need a centre-forward too.
Eddie Nketiah is set to leave Arsenal, as he has been given permission to undergo a medical ahead of a move to Crystal Palace. His departure will leave the North London club’s strikeforce even further depleted.
On top of that, Gabriel Jesus is currently injured, and until the results of his scan are revealed it is impossible to say how long he will be sidelined for.
Arsenal have been linked with many strikers this summer, and a host of players have been named in connection with a switch to the Emirates Stadium time and time again. Amongst those names are the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen, and Ivan Toney.
Chelsea and Manchester United in race to sign Ivan Toney
Arsenal would find it difficult to sign Toney if they were to decide to launch a late move for his services now.
According to The Standard, Manchester United are now attempting to hijack a deal for the Brentford target man, with Chelsea having already been making progress towards securing his services.
Both of those clubs can got toe-to-toe with the Gunners in terms of being able to afford the England international’s price tag and meet his wage demands, meaning that Arsenal would not be able to use their financial muscle to leapfrog their way to the front of the queue if they wanted to.
Will Arsenal regret shunning Ivan Toney?
On top of that, after Arteta rejected Toney when given the chance to sign him earlier this summer, the 28-year-old would likely now be reluctant to commit himself at the Emirates Stadium were the Spanish coach to have a change of heart.
Arteta may well come to regret this decision. Certainly, if the Gunners reach the end of this transfer window without having brought in a striker, and Jesus’ injury woes persist, then their reluctance to strengthen in this part of the pitch could ultimately derail their entire campaign.
What’s more, Toney has proven in the past that he can be prolific in the Premier League. He has a big enough personality to make the step up to the highest level, and boasts the physicality that Arteta appreciates in his players.
No matter who he joins this summer, he will surely strengthen them, but it seems certain now that Arsenal will not be the ones to benefit from his arrival.
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