Arteta drops transfer hint after Isak slays Arsenal

Robin Bairner

• 8 Jan 2025 07:24 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal’s prospects of reaching the Carabao Cup final look slim after suffering a 2-0 home loss to Newcastle United in which Alexander Isak stared.

The Sweden international forward has been linked with a big-money move to the Emirates Stadium, with Gunners fans getting a first hand glance at what the 25-year-old is capable of as he turned in a decisive performance on the big stage.

Isak opened the scoring with an emphatic finish in the first half while it was his shot turned away by David Raya that was knocked home by Anthony Gordon to leave Mikel Arteta’s side with an uphill task at overturn the advantage at St James’ Park next month.

The Swede has scored 50 Newcastle goals, with Isak achieving the feat in 89 games – five games fewer than it took Alan Shearer to hit the same mark.

STATS

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Newcastle Utd.

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Newcastle Utd.

Premier League

2024/25

• 18

  Games

• 13

  Goals

• 4

  Assists

View all stats

Gunners regret missed chances

Arsenal were, to some extent, masters of their own downfall as they proved inefficient in front of goal. Gabriel Martinelli hit the post when clean through with the game scoreless and Kai Havertz rather embarrassingly squandered an excellent headed chance when totally unmarked barely six yards out.

Arteta’s side generated an xG of 3.09 and their failure to take any of these chances has once again suggested they need a clinical centre-forward exactly like Isak.

Speaking after the game to Sky Sports, the Spaniard admitted finishing was what separated the teams.

“That was the biggest difference in the game. From any other aspect, we were the better team. But it’s about scoring goals. They managed with the chances that they had,” Arteta said, recognising the need for a sharper presence in front of goal.

“We had chances. We had a one-on-one situation with the keeper – the biggest chance in the game for sure. In a semi-final, you have to be clinical. We missed that today considering what we produced.

“It’s always tough. The team reacted, was willing. We tried in various ways. We generated a lot of situations but it’s true, they defended their box very well. We can do better, with our decision making, the timing of our shooting.”

It was an Arsenal display that will increase the clamour for them to sign Isak or another prolific striker, even if the price tag being discussed – around €120m (£100m) – is a hefty one for the January transfer window.