Three Reasons Why Alexander Isak Would Be The Perfect Signing For Arsenal

Watching Alexander Isak this season makes it clear why he would be Arsenal’s ideal signing this summer.

However, Arsenal isn’t the only club taking notice; Barcelona and Liverpool have also expressed interest in the Swedish striker, who is valued at over £100 million.

Isak has had an impressive season, netting 19 goals in the Premier League and scoring the vital second goal for Newcastle in last weekend’s Carabao Cup final.

His standout performances have drawn comparisons to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

However, Newcastle remains firm in their stance that he is not for sale and intends to offer him a new contract.

Here, Sportxparte examines the statistics that highlight why Arsenal would be eager to sign Isak…

A clinical finisher

It was in January last year, during another barren run in front of goal for Arsenal, that former Gunners striker Ian Wright posted on social media: “We need a killer”.

The demand for a goalscorer remains strong, and Arsenal is keen to acquire a new No. 9 this summer to challenge Kai Havertz.

Mikel Arteta has emphasized the need for his team to be more ruthless in front of goal, and Isak certainly fits that description.

Last season, his conversion rate in front of goal was 26.92 percent. For players who scored at least 10 goals, it was the fourth-best rate in the Premier League.

Isak’s excellent form has persisted this season. Among players who have scored in double figures in the Premier League, his conversion rate is only surpassed by Chris Wood.

The Swedish striker has scored from 27.54 percent of his shots on goal, while Erling Haaland has a conversion rate of 20.59 percent and Mohamed Salah sits at 25.47 percent.

Isak ranks highly in expected goals (xG) metrics, too. His XG in the Premier League this season is only bettered by Haaland and Salah.

He boasts the highest expected goals (xG) per shot in the league this season among players who have scored in double figures.

Additionally, Isak is exceeding his xG by 3.45 this season, with only Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Salah, and Wood outperforming their xG by a greater margin.

Defensive work

Few managers demand as much in terms of work rate off the ball as Arteta, which is why Arsenal boasts the best defense in the Premier League this season.

Their defensive efforts begin at the front, as the Gunners prefer to press their opponents high up the pitch.

In the Premier League this season, only Bournemouth have won the ball in the final third more times than Arsenal.

Isak performs solidly in this area and his numbers are in keeping with the rest of Arsenal’s forward line.

He has recovered the ball in the final third 14 times in the Premier League this season. In comparison, Gabriel Jesus and Havertz, both of whom have had their minutes limited by injuries, have achieved this seven times.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have a slightly higher tally at 15, while Bukayo Saka leads Arsenal’s forwards with 19 recoveries.

Creative output

Goals are how Isak has made his name, but there is more to his game than that.

His movement is particularly lethal, as Arsenal discovered during both legs of their Carabao Cup semifinal against Newcastle in January.

Isak is also capable of creating opportunities, which is essential.

In Arteta’s current system, the player at the forefront must possess a well-rounded skill set.

In the Premier League this season, he has created 29 chances from open play. Compared to Arsenal players, only Martin Odegaard can better that tally.

Newcastle utilizes Isak as a central striker, but he is afforded the freedom to stray from his position, which has enabled him to create significant challenges for defenses this season.

“We encourage him to get on the ball as much as he can,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe told TNT Sports earlier this season.

“When you’ve got the technical skills that he has, I think it’s absolutely huge for us that we don’t ask him to be too central and static. We need him on the ball; we want him on the ball as much as we can in the attacking third, so he does have license and freedom within our structure to go and get the ball.”