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James GoldmanPublished Apr 11, 2024, 1:25pm|Updated Apr 11, 2024, 1:26pm
Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has warned his old club against signing Newcastle striker Alexander Isak this summer.
The Gunners were interested in signing the Sweden international two years ago when he was playing in Spain for Real Sociedad.
Arsenal, ultimately, weren’t prepared to meet the La Liga club’s asking price and the talented striker eventually moved to Newcastle the following summer.
The 24-year-old has since established a reputation as one of the Premier League’s leading marksmen and has scored 19 goals in all competitions in what has been an impressive, albeit injury interrupted campaign.
Isak’s future is fast becoming the subject of intense speculation given Newcastle’s financial issues and their likely failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Arsenal smashed their transfer record last summer in order to sign Declan Rice, but Petit fears Arsenal would be making a grave error were they to spend a similar sum on Isak.
He told Genting Casino: ‘£100 million for Alexander Isak? Come on… Spending that amount of money on someone like Declan Rice is understandable because it’s guaranteed Rice was going to do well and put in the effort. I’m not so sure about Isak.
‘I don’t think it would be a good decision by Arsenal to buy Isak for a big price. Arsenal’s transfer policy is very good, and they should keep their policy rather than fund clubs like Chelsea, Newcastle or those kinds of clubs.
‘Arsenal shouldn’t splash their money like that. Isak would be a good addition to the squad, but there are players outside of England that could have the same impact.’
Kai Havertz currently occupies the central striking role for Arsenal, and although he had improved markedly in recent weeks, Petit feels Mikel Arteta’s side would benefit from upgrading in that position.
‘I really like Nico Williams and could play up front for Arsenal,’ Petit added, recommending the Athletic Bilbao forward as a potential alternative.
‘He’s very fast, can be an independent goalscorer and combines with teammates. A lot of people said signing Haaland for Man City was a mistake, but the way they control the ball in the opponent’s half, they can create lots of chances for him.
‘Arsenal need a 20-goals-per-season striker, they currently have a few players who can score 10-15 goals per season, like how Man City used to be.
‘Pep Guardiola changed the system because he knew he needed a striker who could score lots of goals.
‘In Erling Haaland’s first season, he broke goal-scoring records and won the Champions League. Mikel Arteta will follow the steps of Guardiola, the way their teams play and a striker would be a cherry on top of the cake.’
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