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Paul Merson names the player Arsenal should sign this summer to replicate Erling Haaland tactic

  /  autty

Paul Merson has told Arsenal to try and sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney during the summer transfer window

Arsenal hero Paul Merson has urged his old side to try and sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney this summer.

The north Londoners saw their Premier League title hopes take a major hit on Wednesday evening as they were defeated 4-1 by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola's side often bypassed the visitors' press by kicking it long to commanding centre-forward Erling Haaland, who dominated on the day.

Now, Merson has told the Gunners to bring in Bees' frontman Toney so they have the option to go long as well. Speaking about Toney on Sky Sports, he said: "I don’t see too much difference between him and [Gabriel] Jesus, I don’t, but if I was Arsenal, I would take him. I would take him.

"He suits Arsenal down to the ground. Sometimes, you cannot go long with Jesus, but you can go long with Toney. He is good in the air; he has got a very good brain, Toney; he can see a picture.

"He is not Harry Kane, but he can do a Harry Kane job where he can come off the centre-halves and he can pass through and he can find a pass and he is tidy."

Toney has netted a hugely impressive 20 Premier League goals this season, a tally that only Haaland and Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane have bettered.

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