Arsenal wanted Alexander Isak transfer says Gael Clichy

Former Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy believes his old club were keen to sign Alexander Isak this summer, but that he was simply unaffordable for them.

The Gunners did end up strengthening up front, bringing in Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, while Isak ended up leaving Newcastle United for Liverpool late on in the window.

Clichy admits it now looks like an adjustment for Arsenal to play with a poacher like Gyokeres leading the line, and it seems he thinks Isak would have been seen as the more ideal fit.

The Sweden international showed world class ability at Newcastle, showing that he can do it at Premier League level week in, week out.

Isak will surely be a superb signing for Liverpool, but it perhaps seems unrealistic for Arsenal to have paid the kind of money he ended up costing.

Gael Clichy on Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak

Speaking to the Metro about Arsenal’s signing of Gyokeres this summer, Clichy said: “Is he (Gyokeres) the type of player that the Arsenal fans wanted to see? Probably not. Are they happy with him and will they support him? For sure, at the beginning, and they will hope for something amazing.

“I don’t think he is the sort of player Arsenal are used to, I don’t think in the link-up side of the game he will provide what they need. I think someone like Isak was more suited but he will add something Arsenal didn’t have.”

He added: “Arsenal wanted Isak for sure, any team would love him. But it was down to whoever could match the price tag and I don’t think Arsenal were prepared to do that.

“Football in 2025 is about who can spend the money. He is a special player, but for Arsenal, when you look at the additions of Madueke and Eze, it just feels right to have someone who is going in the box all the time.”

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Who will score more goals this season – Isak or Gyokeres?

It will now be interesting to see how Isak gets on at Liverpool, and how Gyokeres fares at Arsenal.

These are two exciting strikers with fine scoring records from the last two seasons.

See below for how their numbers compare, with Isak’s obviously slightly lower, but with Gyokeres’ record being in the Portuguese league…

Liverpool won the title last season, and will surely be the favourites after such a strong transfer window in which they not only brought in one of the best strikers in Europe in Isak, but also other world class talents like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitike.

Arsenal were also busy, and will hope that Gyokeres can settle in well in England, alongside other new additions like Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke.