Ivan Toney may end up having the last laugh as Arsenal drop crucial points again
After converting the third of three glorious chances that came his way, Ivan Toney was only interested in collecting a shirt from the bench and sending support to his absent team-mate Sergi Canos.
He was not interested in responding to the mild abuse from some home supporters.
The 26-year-old striker might have been tempted, feeling Arsenal fans over-reacted to his infamous tweet on opening day of the 2021/22 season.
“Nice kickabout with the boys,” Toney posted after a 2-0 win over the Gunners.
Ahead of the reverse fixture later in the campaign, Mikel Arteta used Toney’s mickey-taking message to motivate his men.
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Displaying it on a screen, the Arsenal manager said : “You know what he (Toney) did, you know his tweet? ‘Nice kickabout with the boys’. So, today they play in our house guys, and there is only one team on that f****** pitch.”
His colourful rallying cry went on in similar vein and it worked, Arsenal winning that game 2-1 and, then, after the Premier League leaders won at Brentford earlier this season, some of Arteta’s players poked fun at Toney.
Well, it turns out Toney might just have had the last laugh.
Arsenal dropped points for the second successive game (PA)There is a lot of football to be played but Toney’s equaliser - one which Brentford thoroughly deserved - could turn out to be a crucial moment in the title race.
For the second successive Saturday, Arsenal found an imposing physical challenge tough to cope with.
To put it simply, Arsenal looked lightweight and last weekend’s defeat at Goodison Park and this draw will raise questions about their durability in a protracted title chase.
Their shortcomings, such as a work-rate that was not up to scratch here, will be analysed ahead of the meeting with Manchester City on Wednesday.
Toney scored Brentford's equaliser (Getty Images)But the priority in the wake of this contest should be to pay tribute to the job Frank and his players are doing.
In fact, in the context of current form, it could have been argued that Brentford would pose as difficult a challenge as the one City will bring to the Emirates.
If there is a Premier League manager who remains somewhat under-rated, it is Frank.
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Perhaps his quirkiness means he is not treated with the same sort of gravitas as some rivals but he has done a towering job with Brentford.
Frank is a counter-attacking specialist, which is why he has enjoyed success against possession-hungry elite teams.
In the first half, the home side dominated the ball, the away side dominated the chance tally.
But Rico Henry hooked a sitter towards the corner flag and Toney sent an equally glorious opportunity onto the meeting of post and crossbar.
It was a rare false moment from Toney, whose link-up play was outstanding all afternoon.
Toney - named in one England squad but not given a kick - has Football Association betting charges hanging over him but Gareth Southgate insists the prospect of those charges was not the reason for his omission from the World Cup party.
Arteta's side dropped two points in the title race (PA)If Southgate picks on form alone, it is hard to think Toney will not be under serious consideration for the games in March.
And he will be under the same serious consideration when the wealthy weigh up their striking options in the next window, even though he was guilty of squandering another presentable opening early in the second half, inviting Arsenal to step up their game.
Briefly, the Gunners did just that, substitute Leandro Trossard tapping in a brilliant assist from Bukayo Saka.
But, on the balance of play, justice was served when Christian Norgaard presented Toney with a chance that he actually could not miss.
His 14th Premier League goal cemented his unpopularity in these parts but if Arsenal do go looking for a striker in the summer, at least they know one who would definitely fit the bill … like him or not.
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