Former Newcastle United striker Les Ferdinand.
Les Ferdinand has advised Alexander Isak to take any links with Arsenal as a major "compliment" but feels the Sweden star can achieve everything he needs to at St James' Park.
The Magpies' 26-goal hotshot has attracted interest from the Emirates Stadium, Liverpool and Chelsea in the last 12 months. Isak insists he is focused on the task in hand at Newcastle but Ferdinand is confident his old club can build a team around the ex-Real Sociedad ace.
Isak's name has been linked with the Gunners on many occasions this season with pundits such as Clinton Morrison and Paul Merson tipping him to join Mikel Arteta's side in the summer.
Ferdinand will be part of the Sky Sports team for the Carabao Cup Final live on Sunday from 3pm told Chronicle Live: "It's a compliment to him. I always thought that. If you are a Newcastle fan or somebody involved of course you don't want to lose your players especially when they are being talked about.
"It's disrespectful as it's like being suggested that Newcastle aren't big enough to keep him. But at the same time, I see that as a compliment; the best players in the world get talked about.
"I think he is one of the best in Europe if not the world. And if that is the case, people will look at him.
"It is then about how long we can keep him for. We need to start winning trophies and being contenders for the Champions League places because that's what people will cite, they will say: 'He needs Champions League and to win things'.
"He needs Newcastle to do that but he's somebody that you want Newcastle to build around not take away."
Isak cut a lonely figure in attack at times at West Ham and at one stage threw up his arms at the lack of service. Ferdinand knows that has to improve on Sunday against Liverpool, and feels that Isak has already passed a major test. The ex-England star: "Newcastle need to play to Alex's strengths as he's been the most outstanding centre-forward in the Premier League this season, perhaps in Europe because of the way he plays.
"You just need him to have one of his A-games on Sunday. Because when he does have one I think he is unplayable.
"Look I watched him against William Saliba and Gabriel in the semi-finals and they couldn't deal with him. Now, those two are the benchmark. They are the test; you ain't got one world-class defender. That's two and he dealt with them.
"Now he comes up against more star-quality Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate but as a pairing I might put Saliba and Gabriel above them so when you consider what Isak has done to the Arsenal two and what he done in the Premier League game, you wonder what he can do if he can pull off a performance like that at Wembley."
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Isak has 26 goals to his name but Alan Shearer ordered the Swedish star to demand better service back in January. However, Ferdinand said: "All centre-forwards have that selfish streak when it comes to scoring goals but I like Isak's style, he is a 9 or a 10, because he sees passes that put other people in. I get the point that perhaps he should be more selfish but then perhaps he might not be the Isak we are talking about now."
Isak caused Liverpool some major issues back in December during an enthralling 3-3 draw. But he missed the more recent 2-0 defeat, which meant he could bring the X-factor to the table on Sunday.
Ferdinand said: "It's very difficult because Liverpool have been the benchmark in terms of the way they have played. Arne Slot has done an absolutely fantastic job with the group of players that he's got.
"I think Newcastle have done great for periods this season as well. The semi-final against Arsenal when not many people give us much of a chance. But we performed and the one thing you know about Eddie Howe is he knows how to set up and to play against different teams. I look forward to seeing what unfolds.
"Obviously, there's disappointment in losing Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Sven Botman. Hall and Gordon were in good form while Botman hasn't played all season, you'd like him there but I think Hall and Gordon will be a miss.
"But it's a one-off, and that's what these competitions are all about. Sometimes, it does not matter what form you are in; you can actually go in as the form team all night and still lose if there's a bit of complacency.
"You know it will be a sea of black and white and this game is between the two best supported sides. The Geordies will be making noise and the Anfield mob will make a real racket. It'll be a great occasion and hopefully Newcastle can rise to that occasion."
If Newcastle do then they will erase 70-years of hurt domestically by lifting the League Cup for the first time. Ferdinand will not mind being eclipsed. Sir Les said: "People talk about the Entertainers and I always say perhaps this side could eclipse them in terms of winning stuff. You can entertain as much as you want - it is a great accolade to have - but at the end of the day you want to win things.
"The Geordies have been waiting for so long they just need that first piece of silverware and hopefully it comes on Sunday. I am praying they can."
It's a Big Weekend of sport on Sky Sports and NOW, featuring the Carabao Cup Final, Arsenal v Chelsea and Leicester City v Manchester United in the Premier League, Old Firm and Steel City derbies, Australian Grand Prix, tennis from Indian Wells, and The Players Championship, all live.
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Carabao Cup final
Watch Newcastle vs Liverpool on Sky Sports
Newcastle face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on March 16 and fans can watch the game with Sky Sports' discounted TV bundle.
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