"He has that mobility, the speed and he is really clinical" - Pundit claims £60m star would be 'perfect' for Arsenal
Pundit Adrian Clarke has set the rumor bells ringing for supporters of Premier League side Arsenal. His comments on Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak being perfect for the north London side in The Athletic FC podcast are sure to set tongues rolling in North London.
Clarke believes that Mikel Arteta's side would become formidable with a prolific No. 9 leading the line. He named Isak as the perfect signing for the Gunners this summer while also naming Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres as "exciting options".
“He (Isak) would be perfect, he has that mobility, the speed and he is really clinical. Osimhen is exiting as well, isn’t he? Gyokeres would for me be the more natural Nketiah replacement. Someone a little bit stronger than Eddie but wouldn’t usurp Havertz or Jesus,” stated Clarke (via TBR Football).
Isak has registered 35 goals and five assists in 67 games for Newcastle since arriving from Real Sociedad for £60 million in 2022.
Meanwhile, the north Londoners currently have Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz as their striking options with Eddie Nketiah as the backup. None of them are known for being clinical, with Havertz's 13 league goals the highest among the three last season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a massive fan of Isak
Prising the Swede, who signed for the Magpies less than 24 months ago from Real Sociedad would be a big ask. He has settled in well in England and had a breakthrough season last season.
Isak, in his second season with Newcastle, emerged as the club's top scorer with 25 goals in 40 games in all competitions. He scored 21 of those in the Premier League as he pushed Haaland close in the race for the Golden Boot. Back-up striker, Callum Wilson, finished on nine league goals for the season.
Manager Eddie Howe admires Isak and the striker is likely to be of interest to any prospective clubs, not just Arteta. The Spaniard, however, is said to be a big fan of the pacy 24-year-old according to Arsenal Insider TNATS.
Speaking on Charles Watts’ show, Arsenal Insider TNATS said that if he could sign one player it would be Isak.
“Arteta is a massive, massive fan. He’s one that Arteta, if he could only sign one player, it would be Isak. He loves him, but Newcastle don’t want to lose him," TNATS said, as reported by GiveMeSport.
The Gunners have already made moves in the transfer window, making David Raya's loan move permanent from Brentford. They have also bolstered their backline with the acquisition of Italian center-back Riccardo Calafiori.
A proven Premier League goalscorer is something that Arsenal fans have been crying out for. A potential Isak acquisition would go a long way in pacifying the Gooners.