Ivan Toney 'surprise': 'Disbelief after Arsenal transfer dialogue'
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Alan Pardew admits he’s “really surprised” at Arsenal after the club held talks over a move to sign Ivan Toney.
The Gunners’ struggles in front of goal have hampered progress this season, as a shocking miss from Kai Havertz cost them their chance to beat Manchester United as they lost on penalties in third round of the FA Cup (12 January).
The Gunners’ top transfer targets Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak now both look unlikely to move to North London, and Arsenal have been forced to look elsewhere.
Former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew gave an interesting update today as the Gunners were linked with a move for Ivan Toney in the summer before he signed for Al-Ahli.
Pardew told a caller on talkSPORT (18.23): “You've been linked with Jonathan David, the Lille striker, I mean you know, I’m not sure whether that's the right one for you. For me, it needs to be a nailed on 100% top, top striker. That's where Arsenal need to go and I think Toney would have fitted the bill, I really do.
“I was really surprised that he didn't end up at Arsenal because I think he was linked. I remember speaking to his agent and there was definitely dialogue, definitely.”
Mikel Arteta must find new attackers for Arsenal in the January transfer window
Football Insider opinion
A striker of Toney’s calibre may have put Arsenal top of the league currently, and the need for new forwards has only been exacerbated further by Gabriel Jesus’ injury against United.
Manchester City, the Gunners’ main title rival in the past two seasons, have been under-performing and are sixth in the table, yet Arsenal have been unable to make the most of this as Liverpool lead the league, six points ahead and armed with a game in hand over Arteta’s men.
An injury to Bukayo Saka has meant that Arsenal are desperately light in the attacking areas of the pitch and if Arteta is not careful this may be another “what-if” season for the North London club as Liverpool show no signs of slowing down in their own title charge.
The Gunners have been hoping to end their 21-year wait for a Premier League title, having not won the competition since 2004 and this season looked like their best chance to do so before the injury to their talismanic winger.
To help shore up the weak area of the pitch, Mick Brown has exclusively revealed to Football Insider that the Gunners are looking to make a move for Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman.
The Frenchman would offer the pace and creativity that is missing with Saka out of the team, but he would not be the answer in the centre-forward position that Havertz looks so uncomfortable in.
In other news, an Arsenal player on £150,000-a-week is set to have their wages “removed” by the club.
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The post Ivan Toney 'surprise': 'Disbelief after Arsenal transfer dialogue' appeared first on Football Insider.
