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Arsenal have now taken a step back from Ivan Toney – with Mikel Arteta going cold on the Brentford talisman.
That is according to The Sun.
So, why does Mikel Arteta not want Ivan Toney at Arsenal? Let’s take a look…
Why Mikel Arteta does not want Ivan Toney at Arsenal
Well, there had been several reports claiming that the England international was a target for Arsenal.
A story from the claimed that Arsenal led the race to sign Toney – with another article from even claiming that Edu felt a £60m deal was doable.
Now, however – according to – Arteta is going to look elsewhere for a new striker this summer.
It is said that the Spaniard does not believe a traditional No.9 like Toney suits his system at the Emirates Stadium, where more diminutive forwards such as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have thrived.
A source told The Sun: “Arsenal are now less interested. Mikel Arteta has a system and a way of playing and he doesn’t think a conventional number nine like Ivan Toney is what they need.”
That would suggest Arsenal prefer to sign a smaller striker this summer to provide competition for Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.
Toney rose to stardom last season with goals in 33 Premier League appearances – only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane scored more.
However, the 28-year-old has become something of a pantomime villain amongst Arsenal fans, as loud cheers could be heard when William Saliba shoved him aside in the recent 2-1 win over Brentford.
Doubts over Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen
If The Sun’s source is accurate and Arsenal do not want a traditional No.9 this summer, it would suggest Arteta also no longer wants to sign Viktor Gyokeres or Victor Osimhen.
A story from stated that Arsenal have recently held talks with the latter’s representatives at London Colney.
Elsewhere – according to – Arsenal have made Gyokeres the No.1 target for this summer.
However, both strikers are tall, physical and traditional No.9 style strikers like Toney, so will Arsenal abandon interest in them as well? Only time will tell.