Ivan Toney has dismissed Arsenal's social media jibe at him as 'cringeworthy' after the Gunners mocked his earlier tweet following their 3-0 win over Brentford. Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães tweeted 'Nice kick about with the boys' after the match, a direct reference to Toney's post after Brentford's 2-0 victory against Arsenal last season.
Toney, who has been called up to the England squad for the first time, said the taunt was stale. 'I think once was funny, second time a bit cringey but I bit my tongue,' he said. The striker noted that Alexandre Lacazette had used the same line after Arsenal beat Brentford in February.
The 26-year-old is hoping to make his England debut in the Nations League against Italy on Friday. Reflecting on his journey from being released by Newcastle to earning a call-up, Toney said rejection spurred him on. 'You got rid of me, I am going to show you what I am capable of,' he said.
Toney learned of his England selection from Brentford manager Thomas Frank while driving to training. 'For once in my life I had nothing to say,' he recalled. 'I rang my parents and they were just screaming for 20 minutes.'
