“Let’s Goooo, it’s time”- Brentford Goalkeeper Ivan Toney sent a very clear Arsenal message to former teammate David Raya after Arsenal’s win against Everton following the striker’s transfer move to……
Jesus, who is still on his way back to full fitness following an injury that saw him miss the start of the season, came off the bench in the second half having featured for Brazil during a fortnight away. Toney, however, is a completely different type of striker from Jesus
Used to being the focal point of a direct Brentford side, Toney is excellent in the air but has top-level control when under pressure and is more than capable of playing with his back to the goal as well as with space in front of him. His form before the FA ban had seen him bag 20 league goals for Brentford last year.
It has led Chelsea to be amongst the sides chasing him into the winter as Brentford approach a key juncture with his contract. Much like with Raya, who had just 12 months left on his deal before Arsenal swooped in to sign him, Toney will be entering the last year of his deal if he remains at the club until the summer.
That reduces the power held by Brentford and potentially could see his huge price tag drop. Frank, who has been bullish about the chances of his player leaving up until now, has said that he is worth ‘£100million ($124m) plus.’ It’s unlikely that a player like Toney would move for that amount and now Arsenal fans have been doing their bit to convince the player to move.
After Toney commented two heart emojis in response to Raya’s Instagram post, supporters flocked to the replies. ‘January move?’ simply quizzed one. Another wrote: “Super Toney, Gunners family.” It’s not the first time that fans have made their feelings clear towards the England international either.
It is now a common sight to see Arsenal fans in his replies. Last week one wrote to him, asking “Ivan what are the ODDS that you’ll join Arsenal?” Another was slightly more enthusiastic, manifesting a move: “We are waiting for you at Arsenal. January let’s go!”
The Gunners certainly have a long way to go with this if they are to get a deal over the line either in January or the summer of 2024 but the links with Raya can’t hurt. As for the Spanish ‘keeper’s future, he is now attempting to hold down competition from Aaron Ramsdale to become Arsenal’s first choice goalkeeper
He is on an initial loan move across London but with the chance to have it become permanent if certain gametime related criteria are hit. When asked about his decision to start the 28-year-old at the weekend ahead of the club’s first Champions League game in six years, Arteta said: “It’s something that has been historically done like this, but I cannot have two players like this in one position and not play them. David has tremendous qualities like Aaron has, like Karl [Hein] has, but we have to use them you know.”