In a convincing 5-0 victory against Crystal Palace at the Emirates, Arsenal showcased their capabilities, responding resiliently after a challenging festive period where they lost three of their last five Premier League matches.
Despite this commanding performance that elevated them to third place in the table, there are lingering doubts about the Gunners’ long-term prospects, as voiced by football legend Wayne Rooney.
Rooney, the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer, believes that Arsenal should set their sights on recruiting Brentford’s Ivan Toney to strengthen their squad and potentially vie for the title this season.
Despite the emphatic win against Crystal Palace, Rooney expresses skepticism about Arsenal’s ability to secure Toney’s services midseason, considering the associated high transfer fee.
In an interview with BBC Sport, Rooney emphasized his belief that Ivan Toney could be the missing piece in Arsenal’s puzzle, propelling them to the “next level” and positioning them as contenders for the Premier League crown.
He acknowledges the challenges of making a major acquisition midway through the season, particularly with the financial considerations involved.
The Brentford striker, who has been in impressive form, has not ruled out a potential move. While Rooney sees Toney as the quality center-forward Arsenal needs to ascend to greater heights, he remains doubtful about the Gunners completing any significant transfers before the closure of the transfer window.
Despite Arsenal’s recent success and their resilience after the winter break, Rooney maintains his stance that a top-tier center-forward could elevate the team’s potential.
The Gunners find themselves just two points behind league leaders Liverpool, showcasing their ability to remain competitive despite a challenging run of fixtures in the past month.
Alan Shearer, another football pundit, echoed Rooney’s sentiments, emphasizing that despite Arsenal’s comfortable win and the five goals scored, his view about the team’s missing element remains unchanged.
Shearer contends that, to reach the next level and contend for the Premier League title, Arsenal still require a quality center-forward.
The debate surrounding Arsenal’s potential transfer moves and the impact of acquiring a striker like Ivan Toney adds an intriguing layer to their season narrative.
As the transfer market unfolds, Arsenal fans will be keenly watching whether the club can address the identified gaps in their squad to sustain their upward trajectory in the Premier League.
