Ex-Arsenal winger backs Ivan Toney to become 'modern Ian Wright'

James Shearman

• Updated: 18 Oct 2023 17:32 BST
• 3 min read

Former Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant believes Ivan Toney could be Arsenal's "modern era Ian Wright" if he signs for The Gunners in January.

The England international scored 20 goals for Brentford in the 2022-23 Premier League campaign.

However, he has not featured this season after receiving a ban from football for gambling offences.

READ MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

The ban comes to an end in January, though, so he would be able to move to Arsenal in the transfer window.

And, it would appear that Toney is gearing up for a move, given that he has recently signed to a new agent.

"Toney would be a fantastic signing. He’s a proven goalscorer at Brentford, a great finisher with great work rate and is a brilliant asset to the team," Pennant told NewBettingSites.uk.

“In a team like Arsenal where they can control the game, he would be the absolute perfect fit – he would be like a modern era Ian Wright. I would be shocked if Arsenal didn’t go out and get him this season."

Ian Wright scored 168 goals in 269 appearances for Arsenal, meaning Pennant has incredibly high hopes for Toney.

Ian Wright on Ivan Toney

Ian Wright has previously given his thoughts on bringing Toney to the club where he holds legendary status.

"We spread goals out last season and it took us to a certain place,” Wright told Sky Sports’ The Overlap.

"I think with Toney the links won't go away as it's blatantly obvious to see, that focal point, that player who scores, that takes you somewhere else.

"You can't question the endeavour of Eddie [Nketiah] or [Gabriel] Jesus but you look back at the Tottenham game with the Jesus chance. For a player of that calibre to be in that position 1-0 up, those chances have to be buried.

"The margins are so small now, you can't afford to be missing chances like that and not winning games.

"The Toney links don't go away because, for me, that is the last piece of the jigsaw. He'll do it if it can be done."