Arsenal have been continually linked with Brentford striker Ivan Toney in recent months, and he has now returned from his long-term ban from football.
The 27-year-old has not played since the back end of last season, as he served a ban for breaches of gambling rules, but he has now officially returned, and is set to make his competitive return to action as Brentford take on Nottingham Forest this weekend.
There have been calls for Arsenal to sign Toney to fix their goalscoring issues, but with financial fair play issues preventing Mikel Arteta from making big signings in January, a move in this window does seem unlikely.
There are also several questions surrounding Toney, and whether he would be a good fit for this side, and comments he made yesterday have provided yet another red flag for Arteta.
Ivan Toney makes transfer stance clear in interview
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Toney gave an interview on the day his ban ended, and despite Brentford paying his wages and standing by the striker during his time out, he still emphasised his desire to move to a bigger club.
“You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere, but I think it’s obvious I want to play for a top club,” he stated.
“Everybody wants to play for a top club, that is fighting for titles. Whether it’s this January that is the right time for a club to come in and pay the right money, who knows?”
For those who want to sign Toney, his comments may be reassuring, but there is something to be disliked about them, and this may serve as a major red flag for Arteta.
Arteta’s emphasis on character should prevent Ivan Toney deal
A common theme throughout Arteta’s time in charge of Arsenal has been the importance placed on having good characters in the team and dressing room.
Matteo Guendouzi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found themselves exiled from the squad because their behaviour did not resonate well with Arteta.
The Spaniard even reportedly asked Bukayo Saka for a character reference on his International teammate Ben White before sanctioning a move in 2021, highlighting the major role this plays in Arsenal’s current business operations.
With this in mind, Toney’s latest comments will be seen by many as a slap in the face to Brentford, without whom a move to a top club will not have been even remotely possible.
Arteta may view how Toney has flippantly disregarded how Brentford have supported him, during a difficult period for his side, and question whether he would be a good fit in what is a young, vibrant squad.
Among several other concerns including his tactical suitability, this could play some part in Arsenal’s transfer plans for Toney.
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