Ivan Toney

[Neon_Knight_]

I don´t really worry too much about his gambling addiction (or not).There are two things that should be more important: style of play/abilities + character.

Yes! I know! Most people will say character is linked to the gambling thing. But that´s not my point: it is more if he has the right professionality, the right personality to realy be a top, top athlete. One that will do his uttermost to be the best he can be - for himself and as a team member. I have a few questionmarks tbh when it comes to this.

He knowingly performed actions that risked (and ultimately resulted in) a lengthy suspension. His suspension is for repeated gambling breaches during five consecutive seasons, so it was only a matter of time until he was caught. This says an awful lot about whether he has "the right professionality, the right personality to really be a top, top athlete". His actions show a disregard for his career, his team and his club / employer.

Placing numerous bets against himself / his team during a season when Brentford were pushing for a promotion play-off position in the Championship says a lot about his character, because it shows a lack of belief in himself and his team.

His negative public comments about Brentford also show a significant lack of regard for his team and employer. It's not a one-off slip of the tongue either. "Fuck Brentford" was the first well-publicised instance. Since then, when asked what club he plays for, he simply replied "Nowhere exciting". If this is how he talks about Brentford in public, imagine what he thinks and says about them in private.

 

[mightyspur]

I don't think Brentford will sell him as they are in the shit and need goals. If they do, it will be for a massive fee and I reckon only Arsenal will pay it.

 

[mr ashley]

I don´t really worry too much about his gambling addiction (or not).There are two things that should be more important: style of play/abilities + character.

Yes! I know! Most people will say character is linked to the gambling thing. But that´s not my point: it is more if he has the right professionality, the right personality to realy be a top, top athlete. One that will do his uttermost to be the best he can be - for himself and as a team member. I have a few questionmarks tbh when it comes to this.

Most importantly to me is the fact that most seem to forget: his style of play. He´s never been part of a ball playing team with technical and possession based style of play. Brentford is one of the most defensive and counterattack teams in the PL! He fit their style as a glove - or them his. I honestly don´t see him in neither our nor Arsenal´s team as anything close to the perfect fit - rather far from it imho.

On top of that: He´s 27 and will be 28 in March. He has had two seasons in the premier league. The rest of his career has been in the lower divisions. His first season in the PL he scored 12 goals, while in the second he got 20 goals. Both seasons after 33 games. He´s had one great season in the Championship, and one quite good in League One (after several not so great). And now he hasn´t played for a full half season. He will be rusty. But more importantly: he might not be so golden that many seem to believe.

Honestly stats wise there’s not too much difference to Ollie Watkins
(He’s never scored 20 PL goals in a season)

I’m playing devils advocate because I don’t see us signing him anyway but the way people try to rubbish his footballing ability is crazy.

Red flags are all off field

 

[spursboy2008]

Please No….. this guy is a bad Apple!

 

[Dunc2610]

Not sure why people are still talking about him, there's been no links to him recently (if there ever really were any).

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Honestly stats wise there’s not too much difference to Ollie Watkins
(He’s never scored 20 PL goals in a season)

I’m playing devils advocate because I don’t see us signing him anyway but the way people try to rubbish his footballing ability is crazy.

Red flags are all off field

The bloke is a top player. No doubt about it. Anyone who thinks otherwise hasn’t watched much football lately or is on strong prescription medication

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Toney is a very very good footballer, outside of Watkins and Haaland he's the next best 'striker' in the whole league. (Assuming Salah & Son count as wing forwards not strikers).

His attitude is certainly questionable but lets not rubbish his football ability, he's top class and I sincerely hope he doesn't sign for Arsenal as he is exactly what they need.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I don't think Brentford will sell him as they are in the shit and need goals. If they do, it will be for a massive fee and I reckon only Arsenal will pay it.

I hope Arsenal spend an absolute truck load on him, and he turns out crap. And has a bad effect on the squad. And they go bankrupt. And implode. Forever

 

[mstill13]

I hope Arsenal spend an absolute truck load on him, and he turns out crap. And has a bad effect on the squad. And they go bankrupt. And implode. Forever

That escalated quickly...

 

[SuperLuka]

As I said previously, it's not enough for me to completely write him off. But the possible issues aren't just about his gambling.

My issue with Toney is he's a gambling addict and there's a high chance he gets caught again and faces a longer suspension. It's a huge risk for the club.

 

[aliyid]

Toney is a very very good footballer, outside of Watkins and Haaland he's the next best 'striker' in the whole league. (Assuming Salah & Son count as wing forwards not strikers).

His attitude is certainly questionable but lets not rubbish his football ability, he's top class and I sincerely hope he doesn't sign for Arsenal as he is exactly what they need.

He's an interesting one, only watched him live twice but he was very poor in both games and I went away thinking "I hope we don't try to sign him". Yes he can put away a penalty but as we never seem to get them anyway I'm not sure what else he excels at (is he more fox in the box or speed)

Then again I can't say much, I thought Harry Winks was going to be running our midfield by now

 

[HedgieSpur]

I think he's an excellent player and would be great in our system. I think any concerns about his "character" and "attitude" tend to be a reflection of peoples personal preferences, dislikes and prejudices rather than an objective measure.

Im relatively ambivalent whether we get him or not, but given Ange speaks personally to all players prior to joining, Im confident that he would be able to make a good judgement on whether Toney has the mentality and attitude that he's looking for.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

He's an interesting one, only watched him live twice but he was very poor in both games and I went away thinking "I hope we don't try to sign him". Yes he can put away a penalty but as we never seem to get them anyway I'm not sure what else he excels at (is he more fox in the box or speed)

Then again I can't say much, I thought Harry Winks was going to be running our midfield by now

2 Games is a small sample size, Toney has really good hold-up play, can thread a pass, good at headed and volley'd flick-ons, decent shot on him, good movement and finishing, can create something out of nothing and has reasonable pace.

Everything went through him at Brentford and he linked up with Mbuemo so well.

For me he's the type of player who is a big fish performing really well in a small pond but one who at a better team wouldn't look out of place but instead would put up better figures as they'd have more chances created for them.

 

[ukdy]

Add Toney to the Traore club. No thanks, unsuited to our club, unsuited to our squad. Toney will be a disruptive influence looking to rebuild himself using us as a vehicle for doing so.

Squad cohesion and undisruptive players are core to Ange's beliefs. This won't happen.

Not sure why this thread is so busy... people dreaming or projecting a little.

 

[WiganSpur]

Add Toney to the Traore club. No thanks, unsuited to our club, unsuited to our squad. Toney will be a disruptive influence looking to rebuild himself using us as a vehicle for doing so.

Squad cohesion and undisruptive players are core to Ange's beliefs. This won't happen.

Not sure why this thread is so busy... people dreaming or projecting a little.

I would actually much rather we spent that kind of money on Mbuemo rather than Toney, even if the latter is the more talented footballer.

 

[Spriggan]

I think he's an excellent player and would be great in our system. I think any concerns about his "character" and "attitude" tend to be a reflection of peoples personal preferences, dislikes and prejudices rather than an objective measure.

Im relatively ambivalent whether we get him or not, but given Ange speaks personally to all players prior to joining, Im confident that he would be able to make a good judgement on whether Toney has the mentality and attitude that he's looking for.

I think any concerns about his "character" and "attitude" are a reflection of his social media posts, and interview(s), where he trashed his employer, and behaved like a small-minded, arrogant prick!

 

[Trix]

I think any concerns about his "character" and "attitude" are a reflection of his social media posts, and interview(s) where he trashed his employer, and behaved like an small-minded, arrogant prick!

And also from my POV, I've been point blank told by someone who would 100% know.

 

[bigfrooj]

I’d much rather we went for Mbuemo if we’re looking at any Brentford player. If anyone suits our football it’s him. Toney seems a better than average striker but not much more than that, and he’s obviously a flawed character.

 

[archiewasking]

I’d much rather we went for Mbuemo if we’re looking at any Brentford player. If anyone suits our football it’s him. Toney seems a better than average striker but not much more than that, and he’s obviously a flawed character.

Yes absolutely

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

I hope Arsenal spend an absolute truck load on him, and he turns out crap. And has a bad effect on the squad. And they go bankrupt. And implode. Forever

lol post of 2024 so far!