Mikel Arteta makes 'top' Alexander Isak claim after divisive Arsenal & Newcastle United comment

Isak is regarded as one of the best strikers in Europe and his current form proves it. Saturday’s 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur was the seventh consecutive Premier League game the Swede has scored in, taking his tally to 13 goals in all competitions this season.

The 25-year-old’s incredible form has helped the Magpies climb to fifth in the Premier League table. His and his teammates’ next assignment is to earn a positive result against Arsenal tonight to take into the second leg at St James’ Park in four weeks’ time.

Arteta knows his side must stop Isak in order to minimise the threat of Eddie Howe’s men. The Spaniard said: “He’s a top player in top form scoring a lot of goals and we try to minimise the strength of the opposition. That’s a big part of the plan when we’re playing any opponent.”

Given the comparisons between him and Thierry Henry, Isak has long been linked with Arsenal, something that continues to irk Newcastle supporters. Last week, Paul Merson told Arteta’s side to “break the bank” for Isak, who is valued at around £150million.

Responding to those comments, Howe replied: "It's the first I have heard (of Merson's claim) so I need to see the comments. But our players are loved by us and wanted by us. We have massive games to come and we need them to perform.

“Their focus can only be on what they are delivering in the here and now, we can only control on what we can control but I don't see that [Isak and Arsenal talk] being an issue for us, especially in this window.

“We have so many big games to come and we are very focused, and the players are focused on having a great season, that is all that concerns at the moment."

Isak recently spoke of his happiness on Tyneside while Howe has been consistent in his message that the Magpies must retain their top players in order to keep progressing. The caveat, of course, is always Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).