'If it was me': Pundit claims Arsenal have given up 25 goals a season by not signing £40m man this summer

09/13/2024 06:45 AM

Arsenal made a number of good signings once again this summer but one former Gunner has suggested they’ve missed a trick by not signing one player.

Arsenal landed Mikel Merino, Raheem Sterling, Riccardo Calafiori, and Neto this summer to significantly strengthen their squad.

However, once again, Mikel Arteta failed to go out and sign a generic number nine to improve his striker options.

• READ MORE: Alan Shearer predicts what's going to happen in Tottenham vs Arsenal North London derby clash

A number of players were linked with a move to the Gunners in that position. Ivan Toney constantly linked with Arsenal, while a move for Benjamin Sesko broke down early in the window.

And according to former player Perry Groves, not signing the aforementioned Toney could end up being a mistake.

Arsenal should have signed Ivan Toney

Speaking on TalkSPORT about the decision by Arsenal not to sign Toney, Groves admitted he’d have taken the England striker without hesitation.

"If it was me, I would have taken Ivan Toney in a heartbeat, but there must be some reason why all of the big clubs looked at Ivan Toney and said, no, we are not going to take him,” Groves said.

“It can't be for his ability because you have seen with Brentford, his goal record was one in two-and-a-half. So you put him in a top side, and he will get you 20, 25 goals a season." 

Clearly something missing with Toney for the top clubs

As Groves mentions here, there must be something that the big clubs have looked at and decided against when it comes to signing Toney.

Toney was linked with Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United in the summer and for none of them to sign him, suggests something underlying.

• READ MORE: Paul Merson makes 'honest' Tottenham vs Arsenal scoreline prediction ahead of North London derby

The former Brentford man will go and make his money in Saudi Arabia and in a way, you have to simply say good luck to the England man.

Whether or not Arsenal will regret not signing him or not, remains to be seen.