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Ray Parlour has urged Arsenal to make a move for in-form Brentford striker Ivan Toney as they weigh options to replace Gabriel Jesus.
THE LOWDOWN: REPLACEMENT FORWARD
The Brazilian, who picked up an injury playing for his nation in the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, has undergone surgery.
The recovery and rehabilitation period will see the 25-year-old stay on the sidelines until February at the earliest, which means he will miss out on key matches and moments in Arsenal’s charge to their first Premier League title since the 2003/04 season.
The Gunners are hard at work scouting several replacement strikers for Jesus and Parlour, an Arsenal legend, has weighed in on the issue, prodding his old club to make a move for Toney.
THE LATEST: MOVE FOR IN-FORM STAR
The former Arsenal man said: “The problem you’re going to have in January is who’s available? I’ve always said Ivan Toney. I’d go and try to get him.
“I don’t think you’ll get him in this window but he’s who I’d go for. I think he’s similar to Ian Wright, the way he plays and scores his goals.”
THE VERDICT: IDEAL BUT UNREALISTIC
Toney was snubbed for the England World Cup squad despite his strong performances for a mid-table Brentford side that has seen off Manchester United and Manchester City with very strong showings this season.
His 10 goals in 14 games makes him the second highest scoring Englishman in the Premier League behind Harry Kane, and the third highest scorer in the league this season. That is already two less than his tally from Brentford’s first season.
Toney has been the subject of transfer speculation with Arsenal being in the mix, but the Gunners’ sights are currently set on Mykhaylo Mudryk at the moment, with other reports claiming they are exploring the possibility of moving for João Felix from Atlético de Madrid.
Besides, it is difficult to see Brentford letting their star man leave halfway through the season.
Meanwhile, Switzerland captain and Arsenal vice captain Granit Xhaka has backed the club’s backup striker Eddie Nketiah to step up to the plate in the absence of Gabriel Jesus.
