Arsenal get Ivan Toney boost after Mikel Arteta's attacking admission

07 January 2024 , 04:00

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Arsenal get Ivan Toney boost after Mikel Arteta's attacking admission

Arsenal will be aiming to end their recent miserable run of results when they meet Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday for the third round of the FA Cup.

In what is one of the most anticipated clashes of the round, Jurgen Klopp's side make the trip to north London just weeks after they played out a thrilling 1-1 draw against the Gunners at Anfield. Come full-time of that game, Arsenal sat top, but after two successive league defeats they are now five points behind the Reds.

However, boss Mikel Arteta will put all of that to one side and recognise that this is a cup competition and a chance for his players to bag some silverware come the end of the campaign. The Gunners haven't won a trophy of any kind since the 2020 edition of the tournament.

By the time the FA Cup final rolls around, Arsenal could have some fresh faces in their current crop. With that being said, here are some of the main transfer talking points emerging out of the Emirates.

Gunners get Toney boost

Ivan Toney reportedly remains a target for Arsenal (Clive Rose/Getty Images)

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Arsenal's interest in Brentford talisman Ivan Toney is well-documented and despite his recent lengthy spell on the sidelines, the Bees forward has proven there's little sign of any rust.

Toney hasn't kicked a ball competitively all season due to being suspended for breaching FA betting rules, but as his return nears, the 27-year-old featured in a clash for Brentford B as they took on Southampton Under-23s at Wheatsheaf Park on Saturday morning.

It was a stellar showing, with Toney taking just four minutes to open the scoring. He bagged a brace inside the first-half, before completing his hat-trick within 55 minutes to leave everyone with no doubt he is ready and raring to return to Premier League action.

Those at the top of the Arsenal hierarchy may have been keeping a close eye on Toney's performance as speculation continues over a potential pursuit during the January transfer window.

Find the full story HERE.

Arteta's honest attacking admission

Mikel Arteta has admitted Arsenal's attack has not been firing on all cylinders (Arsenal FC)

Many members of the Arsenal faithful have voiced their concerns over a drop-off in attacking performances this term in comparison to last season. The Gunners' unconvincing showings in front of goal are a big reason as to why so many have called for a new striker to be signed.

Those calls may grow louder after Arteta's latest remarks, where even the Arsenal manager has conceded the attacking output is not what it once was.

Speaking ahead of the game against Liverpool, the Spaniard explained: "What they (the forwards) did last year was exceptional and we knew that to maintain those numbers would be extremely difficult because it was a one-off.

"Not just for us, a one-off in the league. We know that we need all the resources and all those kinds of goals to maintain the level that we want in the league.

"When it comes to those spaces, the timing and the definition of the action (in front of goal) becomes trickier to coach and certainly to replicate as an action in the game. It’s very tricky but it’s something that we have to improve, especially in the way we have not transformed recent chances into goals."

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Arsenal youngster wanted by Juve

Charlie Patino is currently on loan with Swansea (Getty Images)

Charlie Patino has long been tipped as the next big thing to come out of the Arsenal academy but his future could come elsewhere if certain reports are to be believed.

According to TuttoJuve, the Serie A titans are currently keeping tabs on Patino while the midfielder is on loan with Swansea City. The 20-year-old is certainly gifted, but Arsenal already boast a stacked midfield.

He is tied to the Emirates until the summer of 2025, but the Gunners could be tempted to part ways before that if there is a chance to cash in on a player who has made less than five first-team appearances.

Josh O'Brien