Micah Richards and Alan Shearer feel Ivan Toney of Brentford would ‘love’ to play for Arsenal amid Mikel Arteta targeting a transfer for the striker for the January window.
A new centre-forward features highly on the shopping list in Arteta’s office as Arsenal bid to win the Premier League. He feels the Gunners need a player like Toney to get them over the line. Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are the only recognised senior strikers in north London.
But Jesus has a tendency to drift wide with his dogged approach creating space for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. While Nketiah does not offer the prolific threat in the box that Toney could give Arteta. He would also add more physicality to the Gunners’ attack.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney is Mikel Arteta’s top transfer target
It is Toney’s physicality and out-and-out centre-forward style that Arteta covets the most as Arsenal target his transfer from Brentford. That is according to the Mirror, which notes that Arteta has identified the 27-year-old as their top target. The Bees will also sell him for £60m.
Brentford are loath to sell Toney but he is keen to leave the Gtech Community Stadium over January. The forward also covets the chance to join Arteta’s squad at Emirates Stadium once back from an FA-imposed eight-month suspension. Toney can restart playing on January 18.
Alan Shearer and Micah Richards back Ivan Toney’s transfer to Arsenal
Newcastle United legend Shearer is confident that Toney would ‘have a field day’ playing for Arsenal given the service that Saka and Martinelli could provide the Brentford striker. He hit home 20 goals in 33 Premier League games last season for the Bees, including six penalties.
“Yeah, I do with who they have got on either side down the flanks,” Shearer told The Rest is Football podcast. “I think he would have a field day with crosses coming into the box.”
Richards agrees with Shearer, too, after citing his belief that Toney would ‘love’ to play with Saka and Martinelli. The former Manchester City defender also feels the Brentford talisman would suit the style Arteta is having to establish this season as teams react to their success.
“He would love that,” Richards added. “I agree with that. It’s a different Arsenal. If you look at the way they play with Martinelli and Saka on the wings, they used to have so much space. But because they are the danger men now, they are almost doubling up on them.
“Whereas before Saka was taking on one or two, they have become more of a crossing team trying to get out of tight areas and to have someone like Toney, with his physical power and heading ability, I think he suits Arsenal now. I really do.”
Arsenal lead the Premier League for accurate crosses this season
Through the first 16 Premier League games this season, Arsenal and Brentford lead the top-flight for accurate crosses (82). Per WhoScored, the Gunners have also attempted (313) the fourth-most crosses behind Everton (339), Luton Town (338) and Manchester United (326).
But while Arsenal also lead the league for goals from headers, they have only scored seven. Toney, meanwhile, only scored twice from headers in the Premier League over the 2022/23 term. Seven different players, including Saka and Jesus, account for Arsenal’s headed goals.
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