Deal Close: Mikel Arteta makes Ivan Toney transfer decision as Arsenal priority confirmed

Mikel Arteta makes Ivan Toney transfer decision as Arsenal priority confirmed
Arsenal are expected to be active in the January transfer window with a new striker, midfielder and defender on the club’s agenda – but Financial Fair Play regulations may restrict their business

• APRIL 01: Ivan Toney of Brentford celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford FC at American Express Community Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
  Mikel Arteta makes Ivan Toney transfer decision as Arsenal priority confirmed (Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta has asked Arsenal’s hierarchy to prioritise signing a new striker in the January transfer window. Brentford star Ivan Toney has emerged as the Gunners’ top target as the 27-year-old prepares to return to football on January 17, once he serves his eight-month ban for breaching the Football Association’s rules on betting.

Arsenal’s lack of clinical edge was highlighted once again in the 2-0 defeat against West Ham earlier this week. The Gunners had a whopping 77 touches in the Hammers’ penalty box without scoring – a new Premier League record.

After the game, Arteta rued his side’s missed opportunities and admitted Arsenal needed to be more clinical. “It’s what it is,” the Spaniard said.

“We have to try to generate. If we don’t score with 30 shots, then we have to do 50 or 60 to try to score.

“That’s the only thing. I can’t imagine a game where we have more touches in the box, more dominance and less situations for the opponent against a really good West Ham side. Today, though, it wasn’t enough to win the game.”

Now, according to The Independent, Arteta wants Arsenal’s hierarchy to prioritise a move for a new striker in January in order to improve his side’s chances of winning their first Premier League title since 2004. The report adds that Brentford want a minimum fee of £80million for Toney.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta makes Eddie Nketiah transfer decision as Arsenal consider first January deal

READ MORE: New camera angle reveals if West Ham goal vs Arsenal should have stood after VAR decision

When asked about the England international’s future ahead of the winter transfer window opening, Brentford boss Thomas Frank replied: “Ivan is training very well, on and off the pitch, and looking forward to finally contributing to the team. I see at least the same determination and willpower to want to train well and be ready to play.

“Maybe a tiny bit more in terms of wanting to come back and be at his best. It’s good, only positive. Am I desperate to keep him? Desperate is a big word.

“I’d really, really like to keep him. I’m a head coach. I’d love to have my best players with me all the time. So from my perspective, I don’t want to sell him. That’s me, because he is fantastic.

“Last year three players scored more than 20 goals in the Premier League and he was one of them. So obviously he is an important player for us and we are just enjoying him every day and looking forward to when we can use him.”

“I don’t know about that, you’ll have to ask Arsenal,” Frank added when asked if Brentford have received any bids for Tonye. “As far as I know, Ivan is a Brentford player.

“No bids. I want to keep him and he’s looking forward to playing for us.”

Mikel Arteta makes Ivan Toney transfer decision as Arsenal priority confirmed
Arsenal are expected to be active in the January transfer window with a new striker, midfielder and defender on the club’s agenda – but Financial Fair Play regulations may restrict their business

• APRIL 01: Ivan Toney of Brentford celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford FC at American Express Community Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
  Mikel Arteta makes Ivan Toney transfer decision as Arsenal priority confirmed (Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta has asked Arsenal’s hierarchy to prioritise signing a new striker in the January transfer window. Brentford star Ivan Toney has emerged as the Gunners’ top target as the 27-year-old prepares to return to football on January 17, once he serves his eight-month ban for breaching the Football Association’s rules on betting.

Arsenal’s lack of clinical edge was highlighted once again in the 2-0 defeat against West Ham earlier this week. The Gunners had a whopping 77 touches in the Hammers’ penalty box without scoring – a new Premier League record.

After the game, Arteta rued his side’s missed opportunities and admitted Arsenal needed to be more clinical. “It’s what it is,” the Spaniard said.

“We have to try to generate. If we don’t score with 30 shots, then we have to do 50 or 60 to try to score.

“That’s the only thing. I can’t imagine a game where we have more touches in the box, more dominance and less situations for the opponent against a really good West Ham side. Today, though, it wasn’t enough to win the game.”

Now, according to The Independent, Arteta wants Arsenal’s hierarchy to prioritise a move for a new striker in January in order to improve his side’s chances of winning their first Premier League title since 2004. The report adds that Brentford want a minimum fee of £80million for Toney.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta makes Eddie Nketiah transfer decision as Arsenal consider first January deal

READ MORE: New camera angle reveals if West Ham goal vs Arsenal should have stood after VAR decision

When asked about the England international’s future ahead of the winter transfer window opening, Brentford boss Thomas Frank replied: “Ivan is training very well, on and off the pitch, and looking forward to finally contributing to the team. I see at least the same determination and willpower to want to train well and be ready to play.

“Maybe a tiny bit more in terms of wanting to come back and be at his best. It’s good, only positive. Am I desperate to keep him? Desperate is a big word.

“I’d really, really like to keep him. I’m a head coach. I’d love to have my best players with me all the time. So from my perspective, I don’t want to sell him. That’s me, because he is fantastic.

“Last year three players scored more than 20 goals in the Premier League and he was one of them. So obviously he is an important player for us and we are just enjoying him every day and looking forward to when we can use him.”

“I don’t know about that, you’ll have to ask Arsenal,” Frank added when asked if Brentford have received any bids for Tonye. “As far as I know, Ivan is a Brentford player.

“No bids. I want to keep him and he’s looking forward to playing for us.”