Arsenal failed to win the title for a second year running and must now go again this summer as they look to keep building under Mikel Arteta.
Despite an extraordinary season in which they only lost five times, scored 91 goals and conceded a league’s best 29 goals, the Gunners still couldn’t usurp Manchester City.
For Mikel Arteta and Edu, work will now start on looking at the summer transfer window and where and how they can strengthen the squad.
One obvious place is up front. Arsenal fans and certain pundits have long called for the Gunners to go out and get a new number nine.
A number of names have been linked, of course. But according to TalkSPORT’s Gabriel Agbonlahor, one man would fit in just nicely.
Arsenal told to sign Ivan Toney with Martin Odegaard link up key
Speaking on TalkSPORT about Arsenal’s search for a new striker, former Villa forward Agbonlahor name-checked Alexander Isak but then suggested that Brentford’s Toney would be ideal.
“I think Arsenal need a striker. There’s talk about Isak, but I don’t think Newcastle are going to sell Isak. They will find someone else to sell,” Agbonlahor said.
“I would take Isak if possible. Younger, he is just quicker, he can play on the left as well if needed, but Ivan Toney, if he is the option, I think he will suit Arsenal as well.
“They have got Saka, Odegaard and Trossard making little through-balls for Toney. He is very good in the air, Toney, as well, very good on the chances that Odegaard could put on for him, Martinelli, Saka, Declan Rice. I think that transfer would work.
“It’s not going to be silly, silly money on his contract what he has got left at Brentford as well. I think he will be a perfect signing for both clubs.”
Ivan Toney available for much cheaper than last summer
Agbonlahor mentions Isak here but he is right, Newcastle will want to keep him and also ask for huge money to even consider a sale.
With Ivan Toney, there is now talk that he might be available for as little as £45m due to his contract situation.
That, of course, is a mile away from the near £100m fees that were being thrown around last summer when Arsenal decided to go and spend more than £60m on Kai Havertz instead.
In the current market, for a player proven in the Premier League and with obvious qualities the Gunners lack, £45m is not a big pay out.
Toney, then, could be the ideal and most value for money signing Arsenal could make this summer.