Mikel Arteta delivers verdict on £150 million Arsenal transfer target
Share:
Mikel Arteta has delivered a telling verdict on Arsenal’s No.1 transfer target Alexander Isak ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle. The Gunners are desperate to make attacking signings during the January transfer window, especially in light of the serious hamstring injury sustained by Bukayo Saka.
![[Tottenham Hotspur FC v Newcastle United FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2192440936.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Arteta’s options this evening have been further limited after the Arsenal boss confirmed Ethan Nwaneri is set for a spell on the sidelines after he suffered a setback during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton. Arsenal have harboured long-term interest in Isak, dating back to his time at Real Sociedad, but hopes of landing the Sweden international this month are virtually non-existent given Newcastle’s astronomical valuation of the 25-year-old.
![[Brighton & Hove Albion FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2192410449.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Isak scored for the seventh game running last weekend in his side’s 2-1 win over Tottenham and Arteta knows his defence will have its work cut out tonight. ‘He’s a top player in top form scoring a lot of goals and we try to minimise the strength of the opposition,’ Arteta said when asked for his assessment of Isak.
‘That’s a big part of the plan when we’re playing any opponent.’. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. The Nwaneri blow, meanwhile, represents another spanner in the works for Arteta who had been enjoying watching the 17-year-old blossom in recent weeks.
