Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have been linked with a move for Ivan Toney this summer (Picture: Arsenal FC)
Mikel Arteta has hinted Arsenal are not in position to sign a new striker in January amid speculation linking them with a move for Ivan Toney.
The Gunners spent heavily in the summer transfer window, breaking their own transfer record to sign Declan Rice from West Ham for a fee which could eventually rise to £105 million.
Goalkeeper David Raya, defender Jurrien Timber and the versatile Kai Havertz took Arsenal’s spending over the £200m mark as Arteta opted to shy away from signing a recognised centre forward.
The Arsenal manager even allowed Folrain Balogun to join Monaco, leaving Arsenal with just Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus to rely on for goals.
Between them, the pair have managed just three Premier League goals so far this season, but Arteta insists he retains faith in Jesus and Nketiah, while suggesting Arsenal may not have the resources to spend heavily when the transfer window opens.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s summit meeting with Manchester City, Arteta was asked whether he needed another striker and said: ‘We believe in the players that we have first of al.,
‘Because we have the resources that we have secondly, and at the moment we feel we are covering that position.’
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Toney is currently serving an eight-month ban for breaching betting regulations but will be available to play again come the turn of the year.
The 27-year-old stepped up his preparations ahead of his comeback with a goal in a behind closed doors friendly, much to the delight of his current manager Thomas Frank.
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‘It was so good (to see him back playing),” the Brentford boss said.
‘I spoke with him just before he went on the pitch and said to him: ‘enjoy it’. (he said) ‘I will’ – and you could see he would really enjoy it, to just get out there and play football.
‘It looked like he enjoyed it. He does what Ivan does – scored a goal. It was very good to see. He was happy after.’
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