14 October 2023 , 06:55
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Martin Keown doesn't believe Arsenal are "ready" to play with a prolific goalscorer - as their interest in Ivan Toney intensifies.
The Gunners are considering a £60million swoop for Toney, who scored 20 Premier League goals last season. The Brentford striker, 27, is currently serving a ban for breaching the Football Association's betting rules but will be available for selection again in January.
Yet Keown thinks Mikel Arteta should continue playing Gabriel Jesus, who likes to drop into midfield and drift out to the wing as a false No.9. He's compared Arsenal's situation to Manchester City's when they won silverware with Jesus between 2017 and 2022.
Pep Guardiola eventually sold Jesus to Arsenal and brought in prolific star Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund to lead their attack. Keown has urged Arteta to stick with Jesus for now before signing a player of Toney's calibre further down the line.
"They (City) have played with a false nine for many years, two or three seasons where they could integrate that player who drops from a high position into midfield to give them the control they needed," Arsenal legend Keown told talkSPORT.
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"Once they secured that midfield with (Ilkay) Gundogan, (Kevin) De Bruyne and Rodri, they said, 'OK let’s bring that striker in'. It’s whether Arsenal are ready for that.
"Gabriel Jesus, when he’s playing striker, we see him at left-back and all over the pitch because it’s more of a collective effort. Maybe he has to do that because in the past the team hasn’t been strong enough defensively, so it’s where the team is."
Gabriel Jesus has struggled in front of goal (Getty Images)Do you agree with Martin Keown? Let us know in the comments below!
Yet other pundits believe Arsenal need to sign a top centre-forward if they want to win the Premier League title. "Arsenal can win the league, but they would need that striker," Manchester United legend Roy Keane said on the Stick to Football podcast.
"It’s great when you’re watching a team that can play. That is good in possession, but also physically strong... we’ve seen lads this season come off the bench for Arsenal, they are big, strong, physical players who can get you over the line in tight games."
Keane's fellow pundit Ian Wright added: "The Toney links won't go away because it's blatantly obvious for everyone to see that with that focal point, and that player that scores – that takes you somewhere else... you cannot afford to be missing chances."
Wright continued: "Eddie (Nketiah), he's working his socks off, no chances are really being made for him, his work off the ball is fantastic, but the Toney links won't go away because you can see that's the last bit, for me, in the jigsaw."