Will Jon Toral make the grade at Arsenal? We get the lowdown from Brentford fan
|Jon Toral will do everything he can to earn himself a contract extension at Arsenal.
The Spanish starlet, currently on-loan at Championship high-flyers Brentford, has recently seized his chances with the Griffin Park outfit – scoring an impressive hat trick against Blackpool last week.
Toral, 20, left Barcelona’s La Masia academy in 2011 alongside his close friend Hector Bellerin to move to north London and fullfil his aspiration to play in the Premier League.
With Bellerin now nailing down the right-back spot at Emirates Stadium, a determined Toral remains convinced that he will follow a similar path if he continues to work hard at Brentford.
“It would be a dream to play in the Arsenal first-team and to play with Hector. I have already played some friendlies with them but I am yet to make my debut,” he said.
“My contract at Arsenal is due to expire in the summer but they have an option to renew me (automatically). I am working hard to make the decision easier for them.”
So what kind of player is Toral? How has he performed at Brentford so far this season? Is he good enough for the Arsenal first team?
We caught up with Brentford season-ticket holder Jack Bolas – who hasn’t missed a game since 2013 – and got the lowdown on the Gunners’ latest Spanish prospect.
“Toral’s performances have been really encouraging and fitted into our attacking, high-tempo style of play. The majority of his appearances have been off the substitutes bench due to our array of midfield options – but he’s provided a good impact when brought on.
“He’s played best when deployed in advanced positions – especially centrally – but has also played in central midfield. In my opinion, Toral is the best passer of the ball at the club.
“Toral is well respected at Brentford and would almost certainly be a regular starter if it weren’t for our other options in advanced positions. I think he’ll get a run in the team until the end of the season now.
“He’s not Arsenal quality just yet but a productive loan spell in the Championship could see him get closer to their first team squad.”