Arsenal legend Alan Smith believes Ivan Toney is the missing piece of the jigsaw in Mikel Arteta’s squad. The former striker has called out both Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah for not being at the level required to be the Gunners’ No 9.
Jesus and Nketiah have both drawn criticism following Sunday’s north London derby. The Brazilian missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 in the first half, while his strike partner had a game to forget.
It was Jesus’ first Premier League start of the season after recovering from knee surgery. But he has never been prolific in front of goal, dating back to his time at Manchester City.
Nketiah, meanwhile, has been given plenty of chances by Arteta but has not yet shown he can be the long-term answer up top. Smith says the 2-2 draw with Spurs only stresses the need for Arsenal to sign a striker.
He told Lord Ping: “I don’t think Arsenal were at their best (on Sunday). I don’t think they tested the Tottenham keeper enough and a point was a fair result.
“I feel like the match did highlight Arsenal’s need to add a top-class striker. Arsenal have so many of the jigsaw pieces in place, there are a lot of great players there, but something is missing.
“Gabriel Jesus is a great player; he works hard off the ball and gives everything for the team, but he does snatch at chances sometimes and doesn’t have a cool head in front of goal.
“Eddie Nketiah had a poor game, probably the poorest I’ve ever seen him play for Arsenal. He is a valuable squad player, but if Arsenal want to challenge for the title, then I think they need to bring in another striker.”
Brentford’s banned star Toney has been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent days. The 27-year-old will be free to play again on January 16 next year after he was found guilty of breaching The FA’s betting rules.
Smith believes Toney would be the ideal player to take Arsenal to the next level. He added: “I really like Ivan Toney. There have been a few reports linking him with a January exit from Brentford and he would be my number one choice if Arsenal were looking to recruit a new striker.
“He is a proven Premier League player. He knows what the league is all about and scored twenty goals last season. I think he is a player that is still improving. He is learning a lot under the management of Thomas Frank, who is a great manager.
“Thomas said on Monday Night Football last week that Brentford are a selling club and if the offer is right, the club will let Toney move on. I don’t think Toney will be short of suitors because everyone wants a goal scorer.
“Arsenal would be an attractive destination for him, and I think he would be a great signing for the club. He could be the missing piece of the jigsaw. Ivan Toney has that physicality through the middle, great pace and is a team player. I think he would be a wonderful signing for Arsenal.”
