On a weekend in which the lack of genuine goalscorers in Mikel Arteta’s squad cost Arsenal dear against Aston Villa, a forward on the radar of the Premier League challengers proved that he has just about everything required to blossom into ‘one of the best players in the world’.
There was certainly something distinctly Thierry Henry-esque about the way the Arsenal target opened the scoring some 24 hours before Arsenal were out-manoeuvred by Unai Emery’s side at the Emirates, racing in behind, checking inside, sending Micky van de Ven sprawling like Bambi on ice before slotting past Guglielmo Vicario.
“I love (Alexander) Isak,” Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer said of the silky Sweden international (Match of the Day). “Not just because of who he plays for or the position he plays in, or his excellent record, but because of how he does it.
“As a kid — he’s still only 24 — he was inevitably compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, another Swedish legend. But the comparison they make within Newcastle’s coaching staff is to Thierry Henry. You can see it in that blistering pace, the languid grace, that gorgeous, fluid movement.”
Arsenal are big fans of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak
Isak would double his tally during Newcastle’s 4-0 thrashing of Arsenal’s North London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park, showing Van de Ven and co a clean pair of heels again before rolling another Henry-like finish into the far corner.
That is now 21 goals in all competitions – and 17 in the Premier League – for a forward, HITC understands, has been watched closely by an Arsenal side expected to go into the market for an elite number nine this summer.
“It’s hard to describe (how good Isak is),” fellow Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon told TNT Sports after Newcastle overtook Manchester United in sixth place.
“You see it out on the pitch and you don’t need me to tell you. He’s so gifted. He can be one of the best players in the world if he stays fit. He’s so good to play with.
“You saw the assist I got for him, I just passed him the ball and he sat a few players down. That was all him. What a player.”
Gunners target likened to Thierry Henry
HITC understands that Arsenal are also looking into the likes of Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon, Juventus frontman Dusan Vlahovic and Brentford’s contract rebel Ivan Toney.
But as Isak produced another very passable Thierry Henry tribute act during a four-goal thrashing of Spurs, Newcastle’s £63 million record signing threatened to make himself something of a fans’ favourite at Arsenal even without pulling on that famous red shirt.
There is also interest from Paris Saint-Germain, HITC have been told.