Arsenal reportedly declined the opportunity to sign Ivan Toney due to concerns from Mikel Arteta about the player’s potential impact on team cohesion.
According to reports, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta chose not to acquire Brentford striker Ivan Toney because he was apprehensive about how Toney might disrupt the team’s harmony. Despite Arsenal’s ongoing pursuit of Manchester City for the Premier League title, Arteta decided to retain his current squad rather than bringing in a new player during the summer transfer window.
With Arsenal narrowly missing out on the title for the second consecutive year, there were speculations that they would seek a traditional striker. Although Kai Havertz showed improved form towards the end of the season, he was primarily utilized in midfield. Gabriel Jesus, meanwhile, struggled with injuries and managed only four Premier League goals.
As Ivan Toney approached the end of his contract with Brentford, he emerged as a potential target for Arsenal. However, as the transfer window progressed, it became evident that Arsenal had decided against pursuing a new striker, opting instead to invest in other areas.
The Independent reports that Mikel Arteta opted not to sign Toney due to concerns about whether Toney’s personality would align with the team’s overall philosophy. Arteta’s focus on building a cohesive, team-oriented squad has been crucial to Arsenal’s recent resurgence, and he was uncertain about Toney’s fit within that dynamic.
This sentiment aligns with earlier reports from Arsenal insider Teamnewsandtix, which indicated that club officials were dissatisfied with Toney during initial discussions. In June, Charles Watts noted that Arsenal executives were concerned about Toney’s personality and attitude after meeting him.
Toney, who aimed to join one of the top six Premier League teams, eventually signed with Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League on the final day of the transfer window. He will earn Β£403,000 per week, which equates to about Β£800,000 before taxes in the UK.