Arsenal are continuing their search for a new striker after being linked with the likes of Ivan Toney and Joshua Zirkzee

Arsenal have been forced to reconsider their options as they continue their search to sign a new striker. The Gunners enjoyed a strong start to the season, but their performance levels and results have dipped in recent weeks.

Fans have urged Arsenal to sign a new striker to solve their attacking problems, but Mikel Arteta has already revealed that expectation is ‘unrealistic’. Asked whether a new striker could be signed in January, Arteta told BeINSports: “At the moment, it does not look realistic.

“What my job is, and what we have to do, is improve our players and try to get better results with the players we have. One thing is what we need, and another is what we can do.

“What we need to do now is stick behind those players, give them some love, train them, and make sure they visualise something very different from what is actually happening now. They’ve done it. We’re not going to reinvent the wheel because they’ve done it.”

Ivan Toney is expected to leave Brentford in the next 12 months as he enters the final 18 months of his contract at the Gtech Community Stadium. The England international recently changed agents as he plots a move away from Thomas Frank’s side.

Speaking about the problems Arsenal face in the transfer market and in attack, Fabrizio Romano has revealed how the Gunners have been put off after learning Brentford’s ‘crazy money’ demands. “Victor Osimhen is not on the market, and many others are not available on the market,” he told GiveMeSport.

“Toney is a player they appreciate; this is true, and from what I’m hearing, Toney would be keen on a move to Arsenal. But at the moment, the financial package is way too expensive for Arsenal. Brentford want crazy money, as their manager confirmed a couple of days ago, so I think this is going to be a complicated one.

“It looks difficult for Arsenal because of Financial Fair Play, and of course, they have David Raya on loan from Brentford, which could be another complication. Arsenal are having internal discussions about signing Toney.”

According to Sky Sports News, Brentford value Toney at an eye-watering £100 million, a price that would be just shy of the £105 million price Arsenal paid for Declan Rice. Toney will return to action in the New Year, when he has served his full suspension after breaching the FA’s betting rules.