Perfect Isak alternative: Arsenal chasing "one of the best STs in Europe"

[ad_1] It would not take a footballing genius to work out what Arsenal want this summer season.

Mikel Arteta's facet didn't recover from the road within the Premier League for the third time on the bounce this season, and whereas they sit only one place off Liverpool, they've scored 14 targets fewer.

Now, a part of that's undoubtedly right down to accidents, however it's extremely evident that the Gunners want a brand new striker as soon as the switch window opens, and the board appear to agree.

Nonetheless, whereas Alexander Isak stays the dream signing for therefore many followers, his probably £150m price ticket makes the concept of him shifting to the Emirates appear virtually unimaginable.

Happily, latest studies have linked the North Londoners with somebody who might be a super various.

Arsenal's striker search Earlier than attending to the participant in query, it is price reviewing a few the opposite striker targets linked with Arsenal in latest weeks, resembling Viktor Gyokeres and Daizen Maeda.

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The previous might transfer to N5 for round £70m, and whereas that will make him one of many Gunners' costliest signings ever, he'd most likely be price it as, in simply 48 video games this season, he is racked up 52 targets and 12 assists.

The latter might be out there for simply £25m, which could additionally show to be an absolute steal, as in simply 47 first-team appearances for Celtic this season, the Japanese worldwide has scored 33 targets and offered 11 assists.

Nonetheless, Arteta and Co may need somebody with extra expertise of soccer in a top-five league, which might clarify the hyperlinks to Ollie Watkins.

Sure, in line with a latest report from Soccer Insider, Arsenal are 'planning to reignite their bid to signal' the Aston Villa star.

The report has revealed that despite the fact that the Claret and Blue rejected a £50m provide from the Gunners within the January window, he is again on the membership's shortlist forward of the summer season.

It is unclear how a lot he'd price, however with extra time for Villa to discover a alternative, it won't be far off Arsenal's unique provide, making him an extremely interesting Isak various.

Why Watkins can be an important Isak various Okay, so the very first thing to say is that in a super world, Arsenal would simply exit and signal Isak, however that feels extremely unlikely to occur and factors to the primary important benefit to signing Watkins over him: the value.

For instance, if the studies are to be believed, then the Villa ace might price as a lot as £100m lower than the Swedish worldwide, which in flip would enable the Gunners to splash the money on a number of different first-team gamers, like Nico Williams, Martin Zubimendi and others.

Furthermore, despite the fact that he'd price a 3rd as a lot because the Toon ace, it doesn't imply he'd be a 3rd nearly as good.

For instance, in 50 appearances this season, totalling 3054 minutes, the Englishman, whom podcaster Rohan Jivan described as "among the best centre-forwards in Europe," has scored 16 targets and offered 13 assists, which comes out to a purpose involvement each 1.72 video games, or each 111.75 minutes.

In distinction, the previous Actual Sociedad star has scored 26 targets and offered six assists in 39 appearances, totalling 3054 minutes, which comes out to a barely higher common of a purpose involvement each 1.21 video games, or each 95.43 minutes.

Lastly, Arteta wants gamers he can depend on subsequent season, and relating to health, the previous Exeter Metropolis star is way extra dependable than his potential competitor.

For instance, he is missed simply three video games for membership and nation throughout his complete profession, whereas the Swede has already missed 67, and he is solely 25 years previous.

Isak's damage issues

Season

Days Missed

Accidents

Video games Missed

24/25

43 days

3

9

23/24

56 days

2

12

22/23

107 days

1

18

21/22

28 days

2

5

18/19

66 days

5

15

17/18

33 days

1

8

16/17

4 days

1

0

All Stats through Transfermarkt

With Isak unattainable this season, Arsenal would do nicely to signal Watkins instead, as on prime of costing as much as £100m much less, he'd be way more dependable.