One of the areas that Arsenal need to improve for next season is in attack, and Gabriel Agbonlahor has suggested a striker he thinks would be perfect for the Gunners.
Arsenal have had a very good season. The Gunners pushed eventual winners Manchester City until the final day of the Premier League campaign and also advanced to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
But, like for all clubs, there is room for improvement and tweaks have to be made. Standing still is not an option, especially for a club like Arsenal who are back to being a force to be reckoned with.
While Arsenal are strong in defence and midfield, they need to look into signing a top striker in the summer transfer window, even though they scored 91 goals in the Premier League this season.
Kai Havertz has done well for the North London club in the number nine role. The Germany international ended the season with 13 goals and seven assists in the Premier League. Even Piers Morgan had to eat humble pie and admit that he was wrong about the former Chelsea star.
However, Havertz is not a natural striker. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta cannot expect the 24-year-old to score 20 or more goals in the Premier League season after season.
Gabriel Jesus is not a prolific striker and has had injury issues this season. The Brazil international managed to start just 17 games in the Premier League this campaign. The 27-year-old scored only four goals.
There is a need for Arsenal to sign a ‘proper’ striker, and speculation is rife that Sporting Director Edu and Arteta are trying to do just that.
Gabriel Agbonlahor explains why Ivan Toney would suit Arsenal
Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has named Ivan Toney as the perfect signing for Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
The talkSPORT pundit has noted that Toney is good in the air, adding that the 28-year-old England international striker could finish the chances that Martin Odegaard would create for him.
Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT: “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.
“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.”
Brentford stance on a potential transfer deal for Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney is one of the strikers who has been linked with Arsenal, and there are rumours that the North London club would be able to sign him if they were willing to spend a decent amount of money.
According to a report in 90min this week, Arsenal are among the clubs who “have discussed Toney”. The report noted that Brentford are willing to sell the England international in the summer transfer window for £45 million.
Whether Arsenal are willing to cough up £45 million for a striker who will become a free agent at the end of next season remains to be seen.
Toney, though, has done well in the Premier League. The striker has scored 36 goals and given 11 assists in 85 league appearances. Four of those goals have been headers.