Why Mikel Arteta and Arsenal passed up signing Ivan Toney

Arsenal were put off a move for Ivan Toney due to Mikel Arteta’s concerns over the squad’s chemistry, according to reports.

Several Premier League clubs had been linked with a move for the 28-year-old during the summer transfer window including Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.

However, Toney ended up completing a £40 million move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli on deadline day last week and has signed a deal worth £400,000 a week.

Arsenal had been exploring the possibility of signing a new attacking player during the summer and left it late as they secured a loan deal with Chelsea for Raheem Sterling on deadline day.

According to The Independent, Arsenal had considered a move for Toney in the summer but the report claims that Arteta ‘didn’t feel the chemistry would be right with the group’ if the England international had joined.

Speaking last month, former Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew claimed that Toney’s agent was pushing for the striker to join Arsenal this summer.

‘Let me tell you. I know Toney’s agent personally and I think he would like the boy to go to Arsenal. There you go, there’s a bit of insight,’ Pardew told talkSPORT.

‘I know that he thought that might be a good fit for the boy when I had a discussion.’

Meanwhile, Toney’s new teammates at Al-Ahli include former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, ex-Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino and former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendi.

The club finished third in the Saudi Pro League last season, 31 points behind runaway champions Al-Hilal.

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