BREAKING NEWS: “I won’t just sit back and do nothing while Arsenal signs him this January. If Arteta manages to secure his signature, it means they’ll be on par with us, and I can’t let that happen,” Pep Guardiola declares, vowing to prevent Arsenal’s pursuit of the £110 million powerhouse in January.
Despite bringing in players like Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, and David Raya on permanent deals this summer, Arsenal’s overall spending was largely balanced by notable player exits. Key among these departures were homegrown fan favorites Emile Smith Rowe, Aaron Ramsdale, and Eddie Nketiah, whose exits marked significant changes within the squad.
In spite of these tough decisions, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu made deliberate adjustments to trim the squad and strengthen it for a tougher battle with Manchester City. One of their standout moves during the final moments of the transfer window was securing Raheem Sterling on deadline day. However, the only criticism directed at the team was the failure to secure a new striker.
Currently, the impressive form of Kai Havertz has lessened the immediate need for a new starting striker, but doubts remain about Gabriel Jesus, primarily due to his injury history, which has prevented him from being the perfect forward partner for Havertz.
This summer, young striker Benjamin Sesko had shown interest in joining Arsenal, but he ultimately chose to stay with his current club. Meanwhile, Alexander Isak of Newcastle United was another high-profile target on Arsenal’s radar. Although Arsenal made inquiries about Isak, they quickly backed out due to his estimated valuation of £120 million, which exceeded their summer budget.
Despite this setback, insiders suggest that Isak remains a key long-term target for Arteta. According to *Team News and Ticks*, a source close to Arsenal, Arteta still intends to pursue Isak in the future. A podcast recently noted that Isak ranks “very, very high” on Arsenal’s list of priorities for next summer, hinting that the striker might consider leaving if Newcastle fails to qualify for European competition.
Comparisons have even been drawn between Isak and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, particularly highlighting Isak’s impressive performances for Newcastle during the latter stages of last season. Interestingly, Eddie Nketiah’s transfer to Crystal Palace has left the iconic number 14 jersey, once worn by Henry, vacant at Arsenal—potentially awaiting a special player like Isak to claim it.
While Isak has had some past health concerns, his undeniable talent makes him a valuable prospect. If Arsenal succeeds in signing him, pairing him with Havertz could create a formidable attacking duo capable of leading Arsenal to another Premier League title.