Arsenal fans are convinced of Man City conspiracy theory after Ivan Toney is banned

Arsenal fans have thrown up a wild theory after Ivan Toney was banned for eight months for betting breaches.

Toney won't play football again until January 2024 after he was charged with 262 breaches of the FA's betting rules in a big blow to Brentford's preparations for next season.

He had pleaded guilty to the charges, though the saga had rolled on and it took months for the 27-year-old to be punished.

He'll now miss Brentford's final two matches of the Premier League season, against Tottenham and Manchester City, but the timing of the call has left Gunners fans outraged.

Arsenal are all but out of the title race following their defeat to Brighton last week, but can still mathematically win the championship for the first time since 2004 if City slip up majorly.

City still have to play Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford, and need just one more win to secure their third title in a row if Arsenal win their remaining two matches.

The final game will, however, now be against a Toney-less Brentford, meaning the Bees will have to go into the game without their talisman and top scorer, with Toney netting 20 league goals this season, including twice against City when Brentford secured a shock 2-1 win at the Etihad earlier on this season - something that is more than a coincidence according to some Arsenal supporters.

"I know City have won the league, but MAD how Toney’s ban comes in just before they play City & nothing yet on the multi-year long 100+ FFP charges," said one frustrated Arsenal fan on Twitter.

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"Ivan Toney suspended before being able to score the winning goal vs Man City next week, as Man City will drop points vs Chelsea, then Brighton and Rob Holding will score the winning goal vs Wolves and Arsenal win the league," added another. "Anti Arsenal Agenda."

"Funny how Ivan Toney gets banned just before the Man City game," said a third. "FA love citeh."

The title will be decided, however, if Arsenal lose to Nottingham Forest this weekend, or if City beat Chelsea on Sunday.