Arsenal’s summer goal is clear. Forget everything else, Andrea Berta, you need a striker.
It’s been a problem for a number of years now and for some reason, it’s been ignored by the Gunners’ recruitment team in the last two transfer windows.
Last summer, they looked at RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, only for the Slovenian powerhouse to sign a new deal in Germany. That move could be back on the table in 2025, however.
In January, there were a number of links. Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic looked to be on the market but did not move. Manchester City signed Omar Marmoush, too. There were players available.
That said, it looks like Arsenal are waiting for Alexander Isak. Sadly, they might be waiting a long old time…
The latest on Alexander Isak's future
Back in the summer of 2022, Swedish centre-forward moved from Real Socided, joining Newcastle United in a deal worth £63m. Given his form since, it’s safe to say he’s been worth every penny and then some.
Well, as it happens, the Gunners swerved on the chance to sign him in the January of the same year. A report from the Athletic at the time suggested that Arsenal weren’t prepared to pay Isak’s then £75m release clause, deeming it too high.
Doesn’t that look rather foolish now?
Reports emerged this week suggesting that the North Londoners were set to launch a £101m bid for the Toon star but that is unlikely to be accepted. Claims over the winter suggested that it may take as much as £150m for the Magpies to sell.
Isak appears happy at St James’ Park and is riding the crest of a wave right now having scored what turned out to be the winning goal in the Carabao Cup final last Sunday.
If Newcastle don’t secure Champions League football then it might persuade the striker to move elsewhere but it would still take a colossal fee.
As a result, Arsenal may have to turn their attenion back to the aforementioned Sesko. He’s got a thunderous shot on him which reminds us…the Gunners have had some brilliant strikers throughout the years, some even better than Isak.
The £3m Arsenal signing who was better than Isak
While Arsene Wenger’s time at Arsenal ended without much success, there was always one certainty; he had a mighty fine centre-forward leading the line.
Whether it was Ian Wright, Thierry Henry, Alexis Sanchez and to a lesser extent, Olivier Giroud, the pedigree of striker was impressive.
While Henry – certainly Isak-esque in his movements and finishing ability – is the club’s greatest-ever player – we want to talk about a certain Robin van Persie here.
As it happens, the Dutchman found himself in a similar situation to Isak when he moved to Manchester United.
Van Persie wasn’t happy the direction the club were travelling in and after getting fed up of not competing for major honours, he moved to the biggest club in the country at the time, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils.
While Isak isn’t unhappy in the north east, he will eventually want to challenge for titles like the Premier League and Champions League. He may now be a Carabao Cup winner but as Mikel Arteta’s side have proven over the last three seasons, they are closer to winning the league than Newcastle are. That’s a fact.
That’s precisely why the Flying Dutchman decided to leave Wenger and the Emirates behind in 2012, signing for United in a £24m deal. It’s safe to say his switch was a roaring success, winning the league title in his debut campaign at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex subsequently waxed lyrical over the attacker:
“I think we had an expectation of Robin because his performance last year for Arsenal was sensational. We saw him last year and knew he could gel into the way our team was, and he has never disappointed us. He’s been unbelievable. His early form in the first six months was fantastic.”
While Van Persie was sensational in United red, scoring 58 goals in 105 outings, it was in Arsenal red where he learned the arts of being a striker, ultimately becoming a Premier League icon.
Signed for a measly £3m from Feyenoord 2004, the 20-year-old arrived as more of a natural winger. However, like Henry, Wenger transformed him into one of the deadliest players we’ve seen in England’s top-flight.
2004/05
26
5
2005/06
24
5
2006/07
22
11
2007/08
15
7
2008/09
28
11
2009/10
16
9
2010/11
25
18
2011/12
38
30
To put things simply, he was even more lethal in front of goal than Isak. In total, Van Persie scored 132 times in 278 appearances for the Gunners, with his best campaign in front of goal that remarkable 2011/12 season where he netted 30 goals in 38 Premier League games and added another seven in cup competitions.
He won the top-flight Golden Boot that year and won it again with United the following season, bagging 26 in 38.
While Isak is still in the infancy of his career, he is yet to win a Premier League Golden Boot and unlike Van Persie, has not yet won a PFA Premier League Player of the Year award either. He will surely get there but there will be no topping Liverpool’s Mo Salah in 2024/25.
Speaking of this season, how Arteta must long for a striker of Van Persie’s calibre. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are both out with season-ending injuries and they’re having to rely on midfielder Mikel Merino to score the goals.
How times change, eh?
He's better than Isak: Arsenal line up big move for "Europe's best player"
Arsenal are looking at signing one of the best players on the continent throughout 2024/25.
1 ByMatt DawsonMar 11, 2025