“He’s not going to play every week maybe” - Ex-Arsenal star Stewart Robson urges Gunners to sign ‘aggressive’ striker to become better
Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson has urged the Gunners to sign Ivan Toney in order to become better. The North Londoners have been linked to the 28-year-old Brentford striker in recent times, but they have not made a serious push for his services so far.
The Gunners have been chasing after the Premier League title for two decades, and they have only recently gotten much closer. Getting a proper striker like Toney, who has scored 72 goals in 141 games for Brentford, could be the key to securing the elusive trophy.
In a conversation with ESPN FC, Robson explained how Toney could make Arsenal better. The former midfielder said (via YouTube):
“You looked at that team there and remember, they had Jesus as the centre-forward who didn’t quite work for them, he started off brilliantly. Havertz does a good job there but is he an out-and-out centre-forward?
“When you need crosses into the box, he’s quite good in the air, but someone like Ivan Toney could be the answer. He’s not going to play every week maybe. Against some of the big teams, they might go with Havertz, but I think they need another option at centre-forward, and Toney would be that sort of option."
He concluded:
“Somebody that can hold up the play, he can win balls in the air, he’d be aggressive with balls coming into the box, particularly when they’re trailing in games. So that’s another area I think he would like to make them better.”
Ivan Toney has impressed for Brentford, which has earmarked him for a potential move to a bigger club. However, interest from clubs like Arsenal seem to have dulled in recent times.
Why have Arsenal cooled their interest in Ivan Toney?
Arsenal have been linked to signing a new striker across the past two transfer windows, but they have yet to do so. These links have connected them with a move for Ivan Toney, which could potentially happen in due course.
However, their interest in the England international has cooled off dramatically in recent times. The problem, according to journalist Dean Jones, is that the Gunners do not value Toney as highly as Brentford do. He explained on Ranks FC podcast (via TBR Football):
“A big issue with signing Ivan Toney is that Brentford want £60m. Anyone I have spoken to from the clubs including Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal when they were interested see Toney as a £40-45m player."
Essentially, Brenford's valuation of their player could ensure he remains with the Bees for the foreseeable future, despite interest from bigger clubs. They may have to reduce their valuation before they can reach an agreement with clubs like the Gunners.