Arsenal is encouraged to assess the potential benefits of acquiring either Toney or Watkins.
Francis Jeffers, a former striker for Arsenal, has recommended that his old club explore options like Ivan Toney or Ollie Watkins.
He pointed out the importance of considering players who can effectively contribute to the squad.
Former Arsenal forward Francis Jeffers has advised his old team to consider Ivan Toney or Ollie Watkins as viable alternatives to Viktor Gyokeres.
He highlighted Toney and Watkins as strong candidates for the team’s forward position.
The Gunners are reportedly interested in Sporting CP striker Gyokeres; however, his substantial £86 million release clause may pose a challenge for the north London club.
Additionally, Sporting is not in a hurry to part with their key player, who is contracted until 2028.
Jeffers, who won two FA Cups and a Premier League title during his tenure at Arsenal, believes that manager Mikel Arteta should prioritize acquiring a proven goalscorer from the Premier League.
He has identified Brentford’s Toney and Aston Villa’s Watkins as potential targets worth exploring.
“The squad is clearly strong enough, but I think they are missing a striker, to be honest,” he stated to football.london, in collaboration with William Hill Vegas.
“They need a dedicated striker, someone who can score scrappy goals, someone who will be present in the box and help secure those close matches for them.”
“Who that might be, I’m not certain. Ideally, it would be someone with Premier League experience, perhaps Ivan Toney or Ollie Watkins.
“I doubt you could lure Watkins away from Villa, as they are making significant progress, which would make that a tough deal. However, I believe Ivan Toney would be an excellent addition.”
Gabriel Jesus had been the primary striker for Arteta when fit, until last season when Kai Havertz emerged as an alternative attacking option.
However, neither player made a decisive impact in securing a title, with Havertz netting 14 goals and Jesus contributing eight across all competitions.
These figures pale in comparison to the more consistent performances of Toney and Watkins in recent seasons.
Notably, both strikers are 28 years old, which contrasts with the youth-oriented strategy Arsenal has embraced under director Edu.
Watkins had an impressive season, scoring 27 goals in 53 matches across all competitions, including 19 in the Premier League.
This achievement placed him joint-fourth in the Golden Boot standings, which was ultimately won by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who scored 27 goals.
On the other hand, Toney concluded last season with only four goals in 17 appearances due to a suspension that kept him out for the first half of the season.
However, he had a more representative tally of 20 goals in 33 matches during the previous Premier League season.
Toney’s exit from the Gtech Community Stadium appears imminent, especially since his contract runs out in 2025.
The Bees face the risk of losing a key player without compensation if they retain him for the upcoming season, while Watkins recently signed a new five-year contract with Villa last October.
Former Everton player Jeffers pointed out that Arsenal cannot afford to give a new talent time to adjust, which is why he advocates for the acquisition of a proven Premier League player.
Although Gyokeres had an outstanding scoring record in Portugal, netting 43 goals in 50 matches last season, his lack of experience in the Premier League could pose challenges for any potential transfer.
