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Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has urged Arsenal to sign reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Ivan Toney. The 37-year-old feels the Gunners need somebody of Toney's caliber to push for a Premier League title that has eluded them for the past two seasons.
Toney has been an ever-consistent performer for Brentford, helping them to regular mid-table finishes since their promotion in 2021. He has bagged 72 goals and 23 assists in 141 games for the club across competitions.
His impressive 20-goal campaign in the 2022-23 Premier League season generated widespread interest from top English sides like Arsenal and Tottenham. However, he missed a major chunk of the 2023-24 season due to an eight-month ban, which he received for violating the Football Association's (FA) betting rules.
Despite the ban, the London sides remain interested in Toney. While Spurs have already signed Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth for a reported £65 million, Arsenal are still embroiled in a search for a world-class No. 9.
In an interview with BeIN Sports, Obi Mikel claimed that Mikel Arteta's side should seriously consider making a move for Toney. When asked who he thinks the 28-year-old striker should join, he said (via TBR Football):
"I think a club like Arsenal. He has been linked with Arsenal for quite some time now... They will need someone like that, a goalscorer. Havertz is doing really well but Arsenal will need somebody like that, a proven goalscorer."
"I look at him and I think he has still got a lot to give in the Premier League. I think he will probably go to a club in the Premier League. I really think Arsenal will suit Ivan Toney, or (Aston) Villa," Obi Mikel concluded.
Besides Toney, Arsenal have also been linked with other strikers, including Newcastle United's Alexander Isak and Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez.
"There are various things going on" - Brentford manager explains why Arsenal target Ivan Toney was not included in the squad for the EPL 2024-25 opening fixture
Brentford manager Thomas Frank shared why star striker Ivan Toney was left out of the squad for the club's 2024-25 Premier League opener. The Danish tactician claimed there were too many 'transfer rumors' surrounding Toney, which could be distracting his attention from football.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the Bees secured a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace without their talisman on Sunday, August 18, Frank said (via Yahoo! Sport):
"There are various things going on with Ivan with transfer rumors and activity and because of all that we decided not to include him in the squad. That (decision) was (made by) the club and me. It was made on Thursday. We thought it was the best thing. Ivan always wants to play."
Amid interest from Arsenal and Spurs, Toney has also been linked with a reported £60 million move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.
