Called up: Ivan Toney
(Picture: Getty Images)Brentford boss Thomas Frank believes Ivan Toney’s England call-up will give everyone at the club a lift ahead of their clash against Arsenal on Sunday.
Toney was named yesterday in Gareth Southgate’s 28-man squad for this month’s Nations League games against Italy and Germany.
Toney has been in fine form this season and he is the joint highest-scoring Englishman in the Premier League, alongside Three Lions captain Harry Kane.
Frank said: “He is one of our leaders and has excelled as a player and a person. It will give everyone a little lift.
“Every match, Brentford fans can see what he brings to our team, all over the pitch, and I hope England fans get a chance to see it as well.
“To have someone in the England squad is a huge achievement for everyone at the club. To have an English player, at an English club, in the England squad, given the competition for those places, is a moment for us to cherish.
“I hope he does enough to get a chance to earn a cap. It will be a top, top day for everyone at Brentford if that happens.”
Arsenal have made a strong start to the season and they know that if they beat Brentford they will go into the international break on top of the Premier League.
It is in stark contrast to last season, when Arsenal kicked off the campaign by losing at Brentford and then suffered two further defeats in a row.
“This season has been very different,” said defender Ben White. “There’s a lot more togetherness, and the way we train is completely different.
“For me, personally, it was a tough start when I joined. I played in the Brentford game and didn’t have a good game.
“I was getting battered by every person in the media and it’s rubbish to hear that.”
