Despite Arsenal making some significant additions to their squad this summer, including the permanent signings of David Raya, Riccardo Calafiori, and Mikel Merino, a large portion of the club’s spending was offset by several key departures.
Notably, homegrown talents like Emile Smith Rowe, Aaron Ramsdale, and Eddie Nketiah, three players beloved by the fans, were among those who left the club.
Even though these decisions were tough, Arsenal’s technical director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta approached the transfer window strategically.
Their focus was on trimming the squad while strengthening key areas to ensure the team could mount a stronger challenge against Manchester City this season.
One of the standout moments of Arsenal’s transfer dealings came late in the window when they secured Raheem Sterling on deadline day, a move that excited fans.
However, one area where the club may face criticism is their failure to bring in a new striker.
Currently, Kai Havertz’s impressive form has lessened the urgency for a new striker, at least in the starting lineup.
However, concerns remain about Gabriel Jesus, whose persistent injury record has limited his impact and made him less reliable as a consistent striking partner for Havertz up front.
Arsenal had shown interest in strengthening their attacking options earlier in the summer, particularly in signing young striker Benjamin Sesko.
However, Sesko chose to remain at his current club, leaving Arsenal to explore other targets. One such player was Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.
Reports indicated that Arsenal made inquiries about the Swedish striker, but the pursuit was short-lived due to Newcastle’s hefty £120 million valuation, which exceeded Arsenal’s budget constraints for this transfer window.
Despite abandoning their chase this summer, Isak remains a long-term target for Arteta.
According to *Team News and Ticks*, a source dedicated to Arsenal coverage, Arteta still has Isak high on his list for the future.
During a podcast episode, an insider revealed that Isak is ranked “very, very high” among Arsenal’s potential targets for next summer.
The insider also hinted that if Newcastle fails to qualify for European competition, Isak might be more inclined to leave and consider a move to North London.
Some Arsenal supporters have already begun drawing comparisons between Isak and the legendary Thierry Henry, especially following Isak’s standout performances for Newcastle at the end of last season.
The number 14 shirt, famously worn by Henry, is currently vacant at Arsenal after Eddie Nketiah’s move to Crystal Palace.
Many believe the club is holding onto the iconic number for a special player, and Isak could very well be that candidate.
While Isak has dealt with some fitness concerns in the past, his talent is undeniable.
Should Arsenal succeed in securing his signature, the prospect of pairing him with Havertz could significantly bolster their attack.
With such a dynamic duo, Arsenal would have a much stronger chance of contending for the Premier League title once again.
