Sport nationArsenal told to avoid Ivan Toney transfer in favour of striker who ‘idolises’ Thierry Henry
All the latest Arsenal news as former defender Mikael Silvestre advises the club to avoid the signing of Brentford man Ivan Toney and target Ollie Watkins instead
Former Arsenal and Manchester United defender Mikaël Silvestre has told Mikel Arteta to prioritise the signing of Ollie Watkins over Ivan Toney.
Silvestre, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium from United in 2008, spent two years at the club before leaving for German side Werder Bremen, making 26 appearances while in North London. Having retired from the professional game in 2015, the former France international is now watching his former clubs from afar with the Gunners currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table, level on points with their rivals Tottenham Hotspur after eight games.
Despite their strong start, Arsenal will be well aware the road to the league title is a long one, after topping the standings for 248 days last season before falling short to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side. In order to avoid a similar outcome this year, Arsenal may look to recruit reinforcements in the January transfer window, which could lead to them signing additional firepower in the striker department.
Silvestre has since made his feelings on any potential striker transfers clear, after telling his former club to prioritise a move for Watkins over the potential arrival of Brentford forward Toney. “Right now you have Eddie Nketiah at the club alongside Gabriel Jesus, but signing a third striker could present them with a luxury that could be useful at this level,” Silvestre told GGRecon.
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“Especially when you consider the amount of games that Arsenal could potentially play this season. The team always needs healthy competition and it needs quality, so if Arsenal were to sign another striker in the near future, then it would be [Ollie] Watkins over [Ivan] Toney if the decision was up to me.”
Both players have been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent years, with Watkins a self-proclaimed Arsenal fan after growing up supporting the Gunners. “That’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day. But, you know, it’s a long shot,” Watkins said during his time at Brentford.
“I’m an Arsenal fan so Thierry Henry was my [idol] he’s unbelievable to watch. He was the idol growing up really.”
Toney has also revealed his ambitions to possibly represent the club in the future, saying on the Diary of a CEO podcast: “The next club I go to, if I was to move, would be the right club,“ he said. “I’ve been a Liverpool fan my whole life… but from young, I’ve liked Arsenal.”
Arsenal told to avoid Ivan Toney transfer in favour of striker who ‘idolises’ Thierry Henry
All the latest Arsenal news as former defender Mikael Silvestre advises the club to avoid the signing of Brentford man Ivan Toney and target Ollie Watkins instead
Former Arsenal and Manchester United defender Mikaël Silvestre has told Mikel Arteta to prioritise the signing of Ollie Watkins over Ivan Toney.
Silvestre, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium from United in 2008, spent two years at the club before leaving for German side Werder Bremen, making 26 appearances while in North London. Having retired from the professional game in 2015, the former France international is now watching his former clubs from afar with the Gunners currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table, level on points with their rivals Tottenham Hotspur after eight games.
Despite their strong start, Arsenal will be well aware the road to the league title is a long one, after topping the standings for 248 days last season before falling short to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side. In order to avoid a similar outcome this year, Arsenal may look to recruit reinforcements in the January transfer window, which could lead to them signing additional firepower in the striker department.
Silvestre has since made his feelings on any potential striker transfers clear, after telling his former club to prioritise a move for Watkins over the potential arrival of Brentford forward Toney. “Right now you have Eddie Nketiah at the club alongside Gabriel Jesus, but signing a third striker could present them with a luxury that could be useful at this level,” Silvestre told GGRecon.
READ MORE: Edu travels to Fluminese amid Liverpool transfer hijack for Brazil wonderkid
READ MORE: Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka – Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Chelsea clash
“Especially when you consider the amount of games that Arsenal could potentially play this season. The team always needs healthy competition and it needs quality, so if Arsenal were to sign another striker in the near future, then it would be [Ollie] Watkins over [Ivan] Toney if the decision was up to me.”
Both players have been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent years, with Watkins a self-proclaimed Arsenal fan after growing up supporting the Gunners. “That’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day. But, you know, it’s a long shot,” Watkins said during his time at Brentford.
“I’m an Arsenal fan so Thierry Henry was my [idol] he’s unbelievable to watch. He was the idol growing up really.”
Toney has also revealed his ambitions to possibly represent the club in the future, saying on the Diary of a CEO podcast: “The next club I go to, if I was to move, would be the right club,“ he said. “I’ve been a Liverpool fan my whole life… but from young, I’ve liked Arsenal.”
Sport nation
Amina Umar
