Arsenal would have signed £60m player in January in any other year

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This January transfer window was unlike any other.

There was a severe lack of activity in the Premier League as many of the big clubs cowered in fear of breaking Profit and Sustainability rules.

Indeed, Everton and Nottingham Forest’s recent charges have struck fear into the hearts of many Premier League clubs, and that meant that a lot of business didn’t happen.

Arsenal didn’t do anything during the January window, despite the fact they clearly needed a new striker, and according to Luke Edwards, speaking on the BBC Transfer Gossip Daily Podcast, in any other year, Arsenal would’ve pulled the trigger on a deal to sign Ivan Toney.

Toney would’ve joined any other year

Edwards shared his verdict on the £60m man.

“If Arsenal could’ve signed Ivan Toney this month,” Edwards began.

“If Arsenal could’ve signed Toney this month they 100% would’ve been in a much better position,” The host interjected

“And he would want to go, and in a previous January transfer window it would’ve happened, but they haven’t been able to do that,” Edwards said.

Game has changed

Unfortunately, the reality is that the game has changed in the Premier League.

Free spending is no longer the order of the day. Financial rules now have actual teeth, and if you step over the line, there are consequences.

Arsenal didn’t want to break the rules, so they didn’t sign Toney, but in the past, this would’ve been the type of deal that Arsenal would be all over, especially with a Premier League title on the line.

The Gunners could fall short in the title race this season, and their lack of a clinical striker in mould of Toney may well be the reason they don’t go on to win the league this season.