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Ivan Toney could be the signing that propels Arsenal to the Premier League title, believes Manchester United hero Teddy Sheringham.
The Gunners have finished second in each of the last two Premier League seasons, with Mikel Arteta restoring them to title challengers, but not being able to hunt down the relentless Manchester City at the top of the table.
Arsenal have not made major changes to their squad so far this summer, only bringing in Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna as a major signing.
Club legend David Seaman would like to see the Gunners bring in another striker before the transfer window closes and Sheringham feels Toney is the man for the job.
Sheringham, who doesn’t hold much love for Arsenal as a former Tottenham and Manchester United star, feels they are just one player away from being ‘the finished article’ and that player is the Brentford and England striker.
‘For me, I still think they need a centre forward who can finish things off,’ Sheringham told onlinepoker.ltd. ‘A player like Ivan Toney would be a massive addition for Arsenal and I think if they signed him, they would be even stronger title contenders.
‘If they had a player like Toney, who is something a bit different to what they have, a big presence who can lead the line, then Arsenal would be the finished article.’
Gabriel Jesus is Arsenal’s chief recognised striker, with Kai Havertz also playing in the central role of the front three at times last season.
Sheringham rates Jesus, but not as a player who will be competing for the Golden Boot come the end of the season.
‘I’m very surprised that they’re going for more defenders and not signing a striker,’ he continued. ‘I like Gabriel Jesus, I think he’s a very good player, but he’s not going to score you 25 goals a season, which is what you need if you want to win a title. Arsenal need a number nine of they are going to go the distance in the title race.’
Toney has just one year left on his Brentford contract so it is somewhat surprising that a deal has not been done for him this summer while the Bees can make money on him.
Brentford are reportedly asking for £60m for the striker, which may be putting interested parties off, but Sheringham still finds it odd that no big side has come in for him.
‘I’m not sure why Ivan Toney hasn’t moved yet,’ he said. ‘It’s no secret that he’s on the market and wants to move to a top, top club.
‘Perhaps it has to do with the way that he finished the season. I thought he was very below par after coming back from his ban.
‘I liked what I saw of him in the European Championships for England. I thought he showed great leadership qualities in the cameos that he made because he was thrown in when England needed something, and he didn’t look phased by that. In those limited moments, I was impressed with him and his temperament. He occupied defenders, he was powerful. He made himself a nuisance.
‘Playing at centre forward at the top level is one of the hardest jobs in football. He’s shown over the years that he can cut it with the best.
‘He’s 28 now, so he’s coming into the prime of his life as a striker. From now until he’s 31 or 32, he will be at his peak. I’m very surprised that someone hasn’t taken him. I would snap him up if I was a manager looking for a top centre forward. There’s definitely a great deal for a club out there to do.’
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