Mikel Arteta's 'reason' for snubbing Ivan Toney transfer speaks volumes

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reportedly feared Ivan Toney might have disrupted their squad harmony if they were to have signed him. It looked like the Gunners were going to target a striker in the transfer window after falling short against Manchester City once again.

Kai Havertz had a late-season surge in form after Gabriel Jesus managed just four Premier League goals last time out, but questions have remained about their options up top. Toney, entering his final contract year at Brentford, was certainly a target.

However, as the summer transfer window progressed, it became clear that Arsenal would not be pursuing a new frontman, with Arteta choosing to invest in other areas and maintain faith in his existing forwards.

The Independent claims Arteta cooled on the idea of bringing Toney to the Emirates in particular due to concerns over the player’s compatibility with the team’s ethos. The Spanish boss has been credited with fostering a collective spirit at Arsenal, aiming for squad unity above all, and he wasn’t convinced Toney would align with this vision.

The report echoes sentiments from Arsenal insider Teamnewsandtix, who earlier in the year told Charles Watts about an alleged meeting between club chiefs and Toney, which left them unimpressed.

He said: “They don’t like him. They met him and didn’t like him. When he signed with his agency in August last year, they said ‘what do you want?’

“He said ‘get back playing, get back in the England squad and move to a big club, preferably Arsenal’. He saw himself fitting in as the No. 9.

“He thought he would get tons of goals and he thought he’d suit the system. They met him and they purely didn’t like him. With Toney, there’s just stacks of evidence of a personality that you’d imagine Arteta didn’t want around the squad.”

Despite his high hopes, Toney’s ambitions for a top-six move were dashed, ending up joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli on deadline day. The Mirror claims he’ll pocket £403,000 a week – a staggering pre-tax UK equivalent of £800,000.