Mikel Arteta told why Ivan Toney could 'be the answer' for Arsenal in January transfer window

Alan Shearer has explained why he thinks the signing of Ivan Toney could make the difference for Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners returned from their winter break on Saturday to claim a routine win over Crystal Palace. Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, a Gabriel Martinelli brace and a Dean Henderson own goal secured the points for Mikel Arteta's side.

Victory for Arsenal ended a run of four games without a win across the Premier League and FA Cup. The result is that Arteta's team now stand two points behind leaders Liverpool heading into their away trip to Bournemouth on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal prediction comes true amid latest Declan Rice injury update

Declan Rice injury woe hangs over five-star Arsenal as David Raya justifies Aaron Ramsdale snub

The past few weeks have seen speculation that Arsenal may need to sign a striker during the January transfer window. Shearer believes that Toney, who marked his return to the Brentford stream with a goal against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, would be the ideal option for Arteta to have in his squad.

Shearer explained why he thinks a deal to take Toney to the Emirates Stadium is not likely this month, but believes that Arsenal need striker reinforcements before the window closes.

«They [Arsenal] are only two points behind leaders Liverpool despite having a horrible run in the past month, but I still think they need a quality centre-forward to go to that next level, and go on and win the Premier League,» Shearer wrote for BBC Sport.

«I was at Emirates Stadium for Arsenal's previous two matches, when they lost to West Ham in the Premier League and Liverpool in the FA Cup, and they had opportunities to win both games but couldn't take them. Not only that, they