Fabrizio Romano drops Ivan Toney and Arsenal transfer update after what happened v West Ham
Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on Arsenal’s interest in Ivan Toney after the Gunners struggled to take their chances during their defeat to West Ham United.
David Moyes’ side claimed all three points when they made the trip to the Emirates on Thursday (28 December) winning 2-0 thanks to goals in either half from Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated possession and had 30 shots in the match, but couldn’t find the net. Supporters have called for the signing of Toney from Brentford, but Romano admitted there is no update on the Gunners’ interest.
Writing in his Daily Briefing on Sunday (31 December) he said: “Ivan Toney continues to make headlines, perhaps even more so now after Arsenal struggled to put away their chances in the defeat against West Ham.
“I can understand fans crying out for a new striker, but I’m afraid I don’t have much of an update for you just yet, guys. As I said before, Arsenal like Toney, but as I always mentioned, Brentford want a big amount of money or there’s no chance for him to move in January.
“So it will be a difficult deal for Arsenal or any other club.”
Great defensive performance
It’s a testament to the Hammers’ excellent defensive performance that they have managed to make Arsenal fans pine for a new striker just because of how much the Irons frustrated the Gunners’ frontline.
It was almost a classic West Ham performance under Moyes’ management as the Hammers dug in defensively to frustrate their opposition, before threatening on the counterattack and from set-pieces to claim all three points against the run of play.
That style of play has been a big part of what has made the Scotsman such a success at the London Stadium over the course of his tenure. It may not always be the prettiest football to watch, but it has made the Irons incredibly effective, especially against some of the Premier League’s best teams.
Whether the defeat to Moyes’ Irons will be enough for Arteta to finally bite the bullet and pay the large fee required to bring Toney to the Emirates remains to be seen, but the Hammers will fancy their chances of doing the double over the Gunners if they perform as they did again later in the season.
In other West Ham news, Paul Brown has tipped the Irons to sign Jonathan Tah in January as Moyes is a “big fan” of the defender