Arsenal: If Toral Performs At Rangers, He Will Get His Chance

Arsenal journeyman Jon Toral has had many loans in the past few years, the latest being to Scotland at Rangers. But if the Spaniard can perform, Wenger will give him a chance.

Jon Toral was signed from the Barcelona academy at the same time as Hector Bellerin. While Bellerin has established himself in the Arsenal first team, Toral’s journey has been very different.

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With successful loans in the Championship at Brentford and Birmingham preceding one less so at Granada, Toral has now been sent to Rangers on a temporary basis. Josh here at Paininthearsenal wasn’t too happy with this decision. With a midfield crisis leaving two central midfielders fit, Sippie felt he could be a useful addition after half a season in Spain. Yet I believe that while Toral is a quality player, he will be better served enjoying more regular minutes in Glasgow.

If Toral can put in similar performances like those in his Championship loan spells, his opportunity will come. The Spaniard is very determined to make it into the first team squad at Arsenal. This may be his final loan spell before he can achieve this feat.

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Many criticisms can be thrown at the feet of manager Arsene Wenger but loyalty to his players is not one of them. While this can be detrimental in some cases (sticking with Chamakh and Bendtner for so long comes to mind), it has also bred success stories within the Arsenal ranks.

Players like Bellerin and Koscielny, and even Ozil to some extent, would not be at the level they are without Wenger’s faith in them. While outsiders claimed they weren’t good enough, Arsene believed in their quality and is now reaping the rewards. If Wenger shows such faith towards Toral, his chance may yet come.

Toral has to show Wenger and everyone else what he can do while at Rangers. It will be difficult for him to establish himself as a fixture in the side, but with the quality he possesses, I am confident he can do so.

Fans may slate Wenger for not giving players like Gnabry or Campbell enough opportunities. Yet this is not really the case. Both players received significant game time in the first eleven and had a chance to show Le Prof their talents. Whether Toral makes it or not is debatable. But you can be relatively certain that Wenger will give him a chance.

Toral has a clear path ahead of him to make use of this chance. Impressing in Scotland will hopefully earn him a place in the squad for our pre-season tour. Here he has to show Wenger that he is good enough to train with the first team and be a member of the first team squad.

Once in a first team squad member, it’s all about taking advantage of the few opportunities that come his way. Be it in League Cup appearances or the odd 10 minutes in the Premier League, Toral has to make his presence felt.

Last season, Alex Iwobi started as a bit-part squad player. He took advantage of the circumstances around him (injuries to and poor form of our wingers at the time) and broke through. He has not looked back since and is making continual strides as an established Arsenal player.

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Iwobi’s path should be a blueprint for Toral and serve as his inspiration. I, for one, hope he succeeds in Scotland and makes it into the first team. Wenger will give him his chance at some point. Jon Toral just needs to take it when it comes along.