To me this is not how big clubs win games,The forwards Arteta has can’t convert their chances’: Man United legend Wayne Rooney tells Arteta to sign £70m player this January or else they will not qualify for champions league next season
Arsenal reminded the rest of the Premier League what they are capable of after they trashed sorry Crystal Palace 5-0 on Saturday at the Emirates.
After a very poor festive period, which saw Mikel Arteta’s side lose three of their last five Premier League matches, they answered back any critics in fine style and moved into third place in the table.
Despite that demolition job, Rooney still isn’t convinced by what Arsenal produce going forward and he thinks they need to try and sign Brentford’s Ivan Toney, as he told BBC Sport.
The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer feels that the Brentford hitman can help the Gunners go to the ‘next level’ and win the title this season.
But he did cast his doubts on whether the north London club, midway through the season and for such a hefty fee, would be able to secure his signature.
This isn’t a case of the player not wanting to move, in a recent interview with Sky Sports, he hasn’t ruled anything out.
As Rooney alluded to, whilst he feels Ivan Toney is the missing piece, he doesn’t think Arsenal will conclude any ‘major’ deals before the window slams shut.
Ivan Toney transfer to Arsenal
“Arsenal, in contrast, looked refreshed and full of energy after their winter break and their set-piece routines got them off to the perfect start,” said Shearer.
“They ended up easy winners but having said all that, and seen them score five goals, I still haven’t changed my mind about what the Gunners are missing. They are only two points behind leaders Liverpool despite having a horrible run in the past month, but I still think they need a quality centre-forward to go to that next level, and go on and win the Premier League.
“I thought Brentford’s Ivan Toney could be the answer, with the wide players Arsenal have got and the service they would give him, but it doesn’t look like they are going to do any business for Toney this month, or make any other major forward signings before the window closes.
“They are not far away and I just think that, if they were to get someone in, it might make a big difference – but that seems unlikely for now.”
Ivan Toney returns from betting ban with a bang
Well, the 27-year-old announced his return from his eight-month betting ban with a goal and three points for Brentford against Nottingham Forest.
Thomas Frank’s side were on a five-game losing streak, yet despite any early goal from Forest, Toney scored a stunning free-kick to equalise before being involved in the winner from Neal Maupay.
Rooney described the ice-cool striker as an ‘integral’ part of his side’s win, whilst his manager called him ‘extremely impressive’, as his stock went further through the roof.
There was already a lot of talk about the player whilst he was sat on the sidelines, but given how he has returned with a bang, then it has probably added a few more millions to his price tag.
