If Arsenal had their pick of strikers across Europe at the start of the summer, Mikel Arteta would have likely signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
Arsenal have admired Alexander Isak’s talent for some time, a striker who has a remarkable goal record of 62 goals in 109 games for Newcastle.
Of course, those numbers and his all-round performances are also why Liverpool are so interested in Isak.
TBR Football shared earlier this summer that Liverpool were dreaming of signing Isak after their deal for Florian Wirtz — sporting director Richard Hughes certainly doesn’t lack ambition.
And although Newcastle’s stance all summer long has been that the Swede isn’t for sale, Liverpool have now made an approach to sign Isak.
Arsenal are very happy with Viktor Gyokeres even if Liverpool sign Alexander Isak
Of course, Arsenal are on the cusp of signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP themselves, Isak’s international teammate.
Gyokeres is hoping to fly to London to complete his medical at Arsenal in the near future, although some fans at the Emirates might now be regretting the club’s move to sign the former Coventry City man.
However, that’s not a stance shared by Arsenal, as explained by TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey.
Arsenal moved on from Isak early in the summer when they became aware of Liverpool’s interest in the Newcastle striker, and nothing has changed in that regard.
Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring against Liverpool for Newcastle.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
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Bailey explained: “I’m told Arsenal from earlier this summer when we knew Liverpool were really making Isak their dream target had already moved on.
“In football there is a belief that Isak or his people have in some way made it known that were he to leave, then Liverpool would be his preferred choice which is why Arsenal moved on.
“Obviously we don’t know if that is true but Arsenal are very happy with Gyokeres, indeed they were with Sesko.
“Some Arsenal fans will be disappointed that they might not have waited for Isak but the club are not.”
Gyokeres has outperformed Isak for Sweden
At this time, Newcastle are still insistent that they won’t be selling Isak — perhaps demonstrating why Arsenal made the right call to move on.
But were Liverpool to land Isak after already signing Wirtz, Milos Kerez and Jeremie Frimpong — some might feel that the Premier League title race is already done and dusted.
In terms of comparing Isak and Gyokeres’ goal record, it’s slightly redundant to put the Premier League and Portugal Liga side by side.
However, it is interesting to compare the duo’s record for Sweden.
Games Goals Goal ratio
Viktor Gyokeres 26 15 0.58
Alexander Isak 52 16 0.31
Gyokeres and Isak’s goal records for Sweden.
Gyokeres hasn’t played as many games for his country owing to him being something of a late-bloomer, but his goal record is quite remarkable on an international level too.
Of course, it’s important to point out that Isak made his Sweden debut at 17 years old — Gyokeres debuted at 20, but he didn’t play for his country regularly until three years ago.
But however you look at the numbers, Gyokeres’ efforts stand up against almost anyone in world football.
And although Arteta would love to work with Isak, he’s probably very excited to harness Gyokeres’ goalscoring in north London too.