How Arsenal could line up with Alexander Isak

Martin Macdonald

• 25 Feb 2022 12:26 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal are desperate to acquire a new centre-forward in the summer, having failed to sign Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina in the January transfer window.

The Gunners are in the middle of a striker crisis currently as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left for free to Barcelona in January, while Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah both have contracts that expire in June.

Should that pair leave, only Folarin Balogun will remain.

Arsenal, according to SunSport, will target Real Sociedad centre-forward Alexander Isak to be the man to lead the line moving forward.

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The young Swede burst onto the scene at AIK in his homeland, where he scored five goals in just 12 league games. It wasn’t long before Dortmund came calling, but his first big break perhaps came a little too soon; after just five Bundesliga appearances and no goals, and despite an incredibly successful loan at Willem II in Holland during 2018/19, Isak joined La Real.

His career has utterly thrived in San Sebastian, where he scored 38 goals in his first 100 appearances. His height, power and technique have blended together in the way many predicted, and he could be set for a move to another elite side in the future.

Barcelona are reportedly interested in Isak, too, but he has said in the past a desire of his is to play in the Premier League.

"I am in a good place at the moment, I am very happy, but one day it would be nice to play in England as well," he told the Independent.

"They have six or seven of the biggest clubs in the world, it is a very high level, and of course one day it would be an alternative.

"Every player wants to be the best version of themselves and reach the highest possible level.

"I have expectations for myself that I am trying to fulfil, so we’ll see where the journey takes me in future."

Arsenal XI with Isak

Mikel Arteta is building a young, exciting team at the Emirates and Isak would join an already vibrant attacking group.

Arsenal are expecting to make numerous signings this summer, but for now we'll focus on current players who could join Isak in the starting XI.

Aaron Ramsdale has been a revelation since his move from Sheffield United and will likely be the club's number one goalkeeper for years to come.

He has a settled defence ahead of him, too, with Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel and Kieran Tierney forming a solid backline.

Things get less clear in the centre of midfield as Arsenal will undoubtedly buy a big-name player for this position.

With Granit Xhaka seemingly on his way out this summer, we'll stick Albert Sambi Lokonga alongside Thomas Partey.

It is in the attacking midfield positions that Arteta has the most options, as he must choose three from Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli.

The first three might get the nod to play behind Isak.