‘He’d be brilliant’ - Arsenal urged to raid Newcastle United after Champions League exit

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Robbie Mustoe urged Arsenal to poach Alexander Isak following Arsenal’s Champions League exit.

A toothless Gunners frontline were found wanting at the Allianz Arena as Bayern Munich ground out a 1-0 victory. That result leaves the Premier League - where they trail Manchester City by two points - as their only route for silverware.

Eddie Nketiah, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have come under fire all season for their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal. Many have called for Mikel Arteta to sign a striker to propel them into the elite bracket.

For context, Newcastle centre-back Fabian Schar has scored the same amount of Premier League goals as Jesus this season. Reports have linked Toon goal machine Isak as the man to answer Arsenal’s prayers this summer - a suggestion the Swede denied a fortnight ago.

Speaking to NBC, ex-top-flight midfielder Mustoe insisted Isak is better than every striker bar Erling Haaland and should be top of Arteta’s shopping list. He said: “Outside of Erling Haaland, and I’m sorry Ollie Watkins, I think he’s the best number nine (in the Premier League). And I think he’s got the potential with the way that he plays. 

“He’s a centre-forward that I particularly like. He’s different to Toney, different to Watkins. He’s got a little swagger about his play and I know that Arsenal may be looking for a centre-forward.

“Newcastle have said he’s not going anywhere but, if anyone asked me who Arsenal should go buy, it’s Alexander Isak. He’s got the class, the quality, the skill, the talent, the goalscoring, the age and the future to be a brilliant striker at Arsenal.

“I’m not saying he’s going to go but I’m forever impressed by the guy. I like a striker who can do something like ‘wow’ - and he’s got that.”