Manager of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, reacts after Julio Enciso of Brighton scores the first goal for his team during Sunday, May 14, 2023, English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion at Emirates stadium in London.
Arsenal’s former defender Martin Keown has cautioned that his team might not be “ready” to accept a new goal scorer such as Ivan Toney.
As discussions about whether Arsenal needs to upgrade at center forward continue, Toney is currently a top target for the club.
Given that Erling Haaland is a member of the champion team, some think it could be the final component needed to overcome Manchester City, who they came very close to defeating last season.
Toney might be interested in joining Arsenal, but they would need to invest a lot of money to convince him to leave Brentford.
But Keown says Mikel Arteta will have to consider the impact on his lineup if he decides to bench someone who tracks back, like Jesus, in favor of someone who might be more of a poacher.
“If we compare Ivan to Haaland and what Haaland does in that team,” talkSPORT’s Keown said, “Man City has been able to take that player out of the top of the team because they’re so strong everywhere else.”.
“They have used a false nine for a number of seasons, going back two or three, when they needed the control and could insert a player who drops into midfield from a high position.
“They decided to bring in that striker after securing that midfield with Gundogan, De Bruyne, and Rodri.
“The question is if Arsenal are prepared for that.”.
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Jesus is not like Toney.
“When Gabriel Jesus plays striker, we see him at left-back and all over the pitch because it’s more of a team effort,” Keown went on.
“Perhaps he must do that because the team is where it is because they haven’t been strong enough defensively in the past.
“However, I understand it because Toney scores goals frequently—even though many of them would have been penalties.
“They realize a big offer is coming in for him, and Arsenal would probably be at the top of the list.
Now they’re looking, can Brentford deal without him?
However, the question is one of team structure and readiness.
They could use a third striker, but he will be an all-out striker and won’t be coming off the bench to assist like Jesus does.
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The other option that Arteta currently has is Eddie Nketiah, besides Jesus.
Together, the two center forwards have only scored three goals in the Premier League this year.
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