'Alexander Isak is too good for Arsenal'

Cameron Smith

11 Feb 2025 05:15 CST
3 min read

Alexander Isak, Arsenal, Newcastle — © IMAGO

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes that Alexander Isak is too good to join Arsenal this summer.

The Newcastle United forward has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium over the past 12 months and he is one of Mikel Arteta’s dream targets for the upcoming summer transfer window.

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Arsenal are set to sign a new centre forward in 2025 and although Newcastle will be reluctant to sell, Isak could secure a move to north London if the Gunners cough up a transfer fee in excess of €120 million.

The Sweden international has 19 goals and five assists in 28 appearances across all competitions so far this season, while he humiliated William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes during Newcastle’s two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final win over Arsenal.

In addition to the Newcastle star, Benjamin Sesko is also being lined up by the Gunners and they could be forced to sign the Slovenian if Isak listens to Scholes’ advice.

What has Paul Scholes said?

On the latest Overlap Fan Debate, Scholes was insistent that Isak should aim higher than a move to Arsenal.

“Everyone loves him [Isak] but I don’t see a possibility of him going to Arsenal,” the ex-Man Utd midfielder said.

“He needs to go bigger and better. We’re talking about Real Madrid here, Liverpool need a centre forward. I think Arsenal would be an option but I think they would be down the list of options.

“I don’t mean that in a bad way but he’s at Newcastle, a really good team, a brilliant team, but they’re not going to win league titles, that’s the next stage of his career.

“I think it would be a risk to go to Arsenal and do the same thing. Liverpool have got a much better chance, Man City and Real Madrid the same.

Current ETV

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Newcastle Utd.

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Newcastle Utd.

ETV Range

€69M - €84.3M

“I think his sights should be higher than Arsenal. He is a player Man Utd would be looking at but in the position we’re in now… it’s not going to happen.”

Scholes concluded: “I agree he takes Arsenal to another level, he would be brilliant and he could possibly get you over the line. But I just think there’s bigger and better in him.”