Rio Ferdinand is convinced that Brentford hitman Ivan Toney would be suitable for Arsenal, insisting the combination of Gabriel Jesus and the Englishman in the Gunners’ attack would work wonders.
However, the former Manchester United star does not see the Bees selling their star striker this month, and he has also questioned whether Arsenal can spend £100 million on the 27-year-old during the January transfer window.
Former Chelsea star Mikel Obi asked Ferdinand on the latest edition of The Obi One podcast whether Toney is capable of taking the North Londoners to the next level in their bid to win a first Premier League title since 2004, and the former defender gave his candid opinion.
“His goal record has been really good in the Premier League, and Arsenal need someone who is going to be occupying centre-backs in the penalty area,” Ferdinand said.
“I think Jesus is a teammate’s dream. I think every player loves playing with Jesus. He offers himself so much for the team, he does everything you want as a teammate. He would help you out when you are in a bad position, he would run the extra yard, he would chase down opponents, he would keep possession of the ball, play people in.
“But I said this to him when I was with him a while ago, ‘You get your goals in the box. Stay in the box, you get your goals, and that is where you are going to be judged.’
“He is smart, he has got that Brazilian laidback ‘I want to play football, I want to enjoy the game vibe,’ and I think Ivan Toney is a bit more focused on being in the box and want to score goals, so he might suit Arsenal, but have Arsenal got £100m? I don’t think Brentford will sell for any price in this window.”
Toney returned to action on Saturday for the first time in eight months after his ban for betting-related offences, and he hit the ground running, scoring a goal in Brentford’s 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest.