He’s Similar to Isak: Arsenal Could Sign “One of the Best CFs in the Premier League”
Arsenal have been prioritising the signing of a new striker for several months, yet Mikel Arteta has not succeeded in bringing in a player to address the gap at the attacking end of the pitch.
In recent times, Alexander Isak has emerged as the most linked name with a potential move to the Emirates. This speculation has been fuelled by his standout performance against Arsenal, where he scored and provided an assist during Newcastle’s 2-0 victory in the Carabao Cup.
However, Isak’s impressive record of 17 goals in just 21 Premier League appearances during the 2024/25 season has significantly raised his value. Newcastle are reportedly demanding a fee in the region of £150 million for their star player, making him an incredibly costly option for Arsenal.
Such an amount would surpass Arsenal’s current record transfer fee, set when they signed Declan Rice from West Ham United in the summer of 2023. For Arsenal’s hierarchy, a considerable financial commitment would be required to strengthen their squad and mount a serious title challenge.
With the transfer window nearing its close, Arsenal’s attacking options remain a concern. The team is in urgent need of reinforcements to improve the quality and depth of their forward line.
At one point this season, Gabriel Jesus appeared to be the solution Arsenal fans had been hoping for in attack, scoring an impressive five goals across two matches, both against Crystal Palace.
Unfortunately, a knee injury sustained during the match against Manchester United earlier this month has ended his campaign prematurely. This has added him to Arsenal’s growing injury list, which already includes fellow forward Bukayo Saka.
In Jesus’ prolonged absence, Kai Havertz has been entrusted with leading Arsenal’s attack and delivering consistent performances at the top end of the pitch.
Since joining from Chelsea last summer, the German international has displayed flashes of his potential, managing to net 13 goals in the Premier League during his debut season with Arsenal.
Despite contributing eight league goals so far this season, Havertz has struggled with consistency in front of goal, having missed 14 clear-cut chances—a figure that is more than double that of any other player in the squad.
These missed opportunities have hampered Arsenal’s title challenge in recent months. To improve their prospects for the remainder of the season, it is clear that reinforcements are needed to provide a fresh attacking threat.
Arsenal Could Sign Havertz Upgrade Who Plays in the Premier League
Arsenal fans may be eager for the club to secure Alexander Isak during this transfer window, given his exceptional form for Newcastle. However, it appears highly unlikely that the board will pay the hefty fee required to secure his services.
While signing Isak would bring in a proven goalscorer, the financial demands of such a transfer are currently unrealistic, particularly given his contract situation with Newcastle.
As a result, Arsenal’s hierarchy may have to shift focus to alternative attacking options to strengthen the squad. One possibility is Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who has recently been linked with the club.
The Gunners, along with Nottingham Forest, have reportedly shown interest in the 28-year-old, with Forest having a £22 million bid for Wissa rejected in recent weeks.
Although Wissa may initially seem like a less glamorous option compared to Isak, statistical comparisons by FBref show that the Congolese international has performed at a similar level to the Swede during the 2024/25 Premier League season.
In fact, Wissa has matched or surpassed Isak in several key metrics and has outperformed Kai Havertz as well, suggesting he could be an excellent addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad.
| Wissa vs Isak & Havertz: Premier League 2024/25 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics (per 90) | Wissa | Isak | Havertz |
| Games played | 19 | 21 | 20 |
| Goals & assists | 13 | 22 | 10 |
| Shot-on-target accuracy | 48% | 48% | 40% |
| Goals per shot on target | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Pass accuracy | 78% | 74% | 77% |
| Aerials won | 47% | 33% | 46% |
| Fould won | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.9 |
| Stats Source: FBref | |||
Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, described by Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas as one of “the best strikers in the Premier League,” may not have outscored Alexander Isak but has netted more goals than Arsenal’s current number nine, Kai Havertz.
In addition to matching Isak’s shot-on-target accuracy, Wissa has outperformed both players in his goals-per-shot-on-target ratio, showcasing his clinical finishing in key attacking moments.
The Congolese forward has also won more aerial duels than the pair, offering Mikel Arteta the complete number nine he has been seeking, especially in light of Arsenal’s recent challenges in attack.
Though Wissa may not be a marquee name to conclude Arsenal’s search for a striker, his performances in England’s top flight have proven his ability to capitalise on opportunities and make an impact in front of goal.
With 11 goals for a Brentford side positioned in the lower half of the table, Wissa’s achievements are impressive. Surrounded by elite talent at the Emirates, he could elevate his game further if a move materialises this month.
In other news, Arsenal Reportedly Get Major Transfer Boost, with Forward Keen to Join the Gunners This Year
