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Jamie Carragher has backed Arsenal’s decision not to sign former Premier League striker Ivan Toney despite insisting the Gunners need a new goalscorer.
Arsenal expressed interest in signing Toney last summer as the England international ran down his contract at Brentford.
Toney scored more than a goal every two games for the west London club, starring in their promotion from the Championship and then establishing himself as a consistent Premier League goalscorer.
The 28-year-old former Chelsea and Manchester United target also played a limited but crucial role for England at last summer’s Euros as Gareth Southgate’s side reached yet another final before losing to Spain.
Arsenal were linked with a move for Toney right up until transfer deadline day but ultimately decided against a move, with the striker instead leaving the English top-flight to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.
Toney signed an incredibly lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia but was said to be interested in joining the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea or Man United before his £40m switch to Al-Ahli.
Mikel Arteta has been reminded of his failure to sign a new striker throughout this season but Carragher has backed Arsenal’s decision to go cold on Toney.
Asked if he believes Arteta actually wants to sign an out-and-out number nine or is happy with his current options, Carragher said on The Overlap: ‘Is there that many of them around? There isn’t, is there?’
When it was pointed out that Arsenal were offered the chance to sign Toney last summer, Carragher added: ‘Was Ivan Toney going to win you the league? He’s not going to win you the league.’
Toney has scored 12 goals in 22 appearances for Al-Ahli, who are fifth in the Saudi Pro League after 18 games.
Arsenal looked into signing a new striker during the January transfer window but ultimately decided to wait until the summer to press ahead with their pursuits of Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak.
The Gunners failed with a bid for Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins but coped well enough without a proven goalscorer at the weekend when they thrashed Manchester City 5-1.
But ex-England midfielder Danny Murphy said he would be ‘amazed’ if Arsenal did not bring in a new striker before the transfer deadline.
‘What would definitely help Arsenal’s chances is if they are able to bring in a new striker before the transfer window closes,’ he told BBC Sport on deadline day.
‘I can see why Mikel Arteta likes Kai Havertz so much, because of his game intelligence – when to press and when to drop – and he plays that role so well for the team.
‘He misses a lot of chances, like he did on Sunday, which is why he has had a bit of stick recently but you can never doubt his work ethic and the value that brings.
‘In an ideal world, Arteta would like a striker who does the same amount of work as Havertz and also scores more goals, but there are not too many of them about.
‘Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke is one, and so is Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins – which is why the Gunners have already made an offer for him.
‘Both of those players are a little bit different to Havertz, because he was a 10 before so knows how to drop in and link play better, but I am not thinking about a replacement for him anyway.
‘Arsenal are trying to win the Premier League and Champions League so it is more the case that, with Gabriel Jesus sidelined, they need an alternative for Havertz if he gets injured.
‘They are not just going to sign any striker – he has to have the qualities Arteta needs – but there is definitely a hole to be filled there in their squad.
‘If they don’t bring anyone in on Monday, they could find themselves short at a crucial stage of the season. I’d be amazed if they let that happen.’
Following the incredible 5-1 win over Man City, Arsenal will hope to build on the momentum when they face Newcastle United on Wednesday night for a place in the Carabao Cup final.
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