The new striker is on top Arsenal’off the shopping list for months, but until now, Mikel Arteta there is no player yet to fill the void at the top end of the pitch.
Alexander Isak is the name most touted for a move to the Emirates in recent times, certainly boosted by his latest game against the Gunners where he scored and registered an assist in the Magpies’ 2-0 Carabao Cup win.
However, given his record 17 goals in just 21 Premier League game during the 2024/25 season, the Swede would have cost the club’s hierarchy a fortune and Eddie Howe’s side would have endured fee in the region of £150m break up with your star man.
Such a fee would break the club record set by Declan Rice following his transfer from West Ham United in the summer of 2023, with the hierarchy having to invest heavily to challenge for the league title in the near future.
The attacking department is in desperate need of reinforcements at the end of the window, especially given the shape of the current options at Arteta’s disposal.
How Arsenal’s forwards played in the 2024/25 season
Gabriel Jesus looked at one stage this season as if he could provide the quality that fans want in the upper half of the pitch, scoring five goals in two matches – both against Crystal Palace.
However, his knee injury sustained against Manchester United earlier this month ruled him out for the rest of the season, joining fellow striker Bukayo Saka on the current injury list.
He saw such a setback Kai Havertz relinquished the responsibility of providing the goods at the top of the pitch in Brazil’s prolonged absence.
The German has shown glimpses of his talent since moving to North London last summer, scored 13 goals in the Premier League during his debut season in red Arsenal.
While he may have scored eight times in the league to date, the 25-year-old has often been guilty of missing numerous clear-cut chances, as his tally shows 14 big chances were missed – twice as many as anyone on the team.
Such a figure has kept the Gunners out of another title battle in recent months, but if they are to push on towards the end of the season, it is clear that a new signing is needed to offer a fresh threat.
Arsenal could sign an upgrade for Havertz, who is already playing in the Premier League
Every Arsenal fan will be itching for a move for Isak this window after his form for the Magpies, but ultimately, the board is unlikely to fork out the aforementioned fee for his services.
While they would be getting a talent who clearly knows where the goal is, that kind of fee is simply unrealistic at this point – especially given his current contract scenario in the Northeast.
As a result, the hierarchy may be forced to target other attacking options to try and improve the current crop of players, which could lead them to complete a deal for Brentford ace Yoane Wiss.
Gunners were connected with the move for the 28-year-old in recent weeks, along with fellow Nottingham Forest top-four hopefuls, who have had an application £22m offer rejected for his services.
Although at first glance he may be an unconvincing addition compared to Isak, the Congolese international is ranked as a similar player to the Swede written by FBref based on his Premier League figures during 2024/25.
Wissa has matched or bettered Newcastle’s talisman in a number of key areas, also surpassing Havertz in the process, showing what a phenomenal signing he would be for Arteta’s men.
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Wiss vs. Isak & Havertz: Premier League 2024/25 |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (at 90) |
Wiss |
Isaac |
Havertz |
|
Games played |
19 |
21 |
20 |
|
Goals and assists |
13 |
22 |
10 |
|
Accuracy of shooting at the target |
48% |
48% |
40% |
|
Goals per shot into the goal area |
0.6 |
0.5 |
0.4 |
|
Adding accuracy |
78% |
74% |
77% |
|
Airports won |
47% |
33% |
46% |
|
Fould won |
1.8 |
0.5 |
0.9 |
|
Statistics via FBref |
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The Brentford star, who has been labeled one of the “the best strikers of the Premier League” Per Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas, he may have been outplayed by Isak, but he has managed to find the back of the net on more occasions than current number nine Havertz.
He’s also level with the Magpies star in terms of his on-target accuracy, while improving on the aforementioned pair goal per shot on target – emphasizing its clinical nature in offensive areas.
Wiss has managed to win more flights rather a duo, offering Arteta that versatile number nine he desperately needed given recent developments.
While he may not seem like a high-profile name to end their hunt for a new striker, he has proven that he can be a lethal player in the top flight when opportunities fall his way.
His tally of 11 goals for bottom-of-the-table Brentford is outstanding, and Wissa is undoubtedly capable of taking on the challenge and taking his performance to the next level, surrounded by top talent should he move to the Emirates this month.
