30 December 2023 , 00:21
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Mikel Arteta has been told to snub a move for Ivan Toney and instead bring Dominic Solanke to the Emirates Stadium.
Toney looks set to be the Gunners' top target in the January transfer window, with Arteta eyeing reinforcements up-front. But the Brentford striker has been sidelined for eight months due to a betting ban, with doubts that he is the right man for the title-challenging Gunners.
Former Premier League winner Chris Sutton is instead tipping Solanke as the man to solve their issues up-front. The Bournemouth star has scored 13 goals this season, with Sutton branding him the "standout" alternative to Toney.
"They are playing catch-up to Liverpool, with City hot on their heels - Pep Guardiola's side would go above them if they win their game in hand. There's been plenty of talk already about how manager Mikel Arteta needs to sign another striker in January," he told BBC Sport.
"Brentford's Ivan Toney has been linked for a while, but he has not played for months because of his suspension. He will have been training, but how much match sharpness does he have?
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"Arsenal are trying to win the title, so they haven't got time to wait for anyone to get up to speed. If we are looking at the names that are supposedly within their grasp, Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke stands out as the best candidate."
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Chris Sutton believes Dominic Solanke should be the top target for ArsenalThe chances that Brentford will allow Toney to depart in January appear to be decreasing. Bees boss Thomas Frank insisted he wanted to keep the striker at the club ahead of his side's trip to Crystal Palace.
"To get Ivan back will be like signing an unbelievable Premier League striker that is proven at this level. He is training very well and we are looking forward to getting him back. I would really like to keep him. I want my best players," Frank said.
"From my perspective I don't want to sell him. He is fantastic and an important player for us. He is a Brentford player. We have had no bids, I want to keep him and he is looking forward to returning."
A move for Solanke would have the support of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. The Frenchman hailed Solanke for his form this season, which has helped Bournemouth to recover from a poor start to the campaign.
“Dominic Solanke, the way he is playing at Bournemouth. Not only him, the team is doing extremely well. But we have been waiting for him to be that player," Henry told Prime Video.
“It guess it was a bit too much when he was younger. But what he is doing right now is brilliant. I am happy for him because he did struggle for a little bit. Now he is looking good.”