Arsenal's £100m transfer target is 'on another level' to Gabriel Jesus

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Arsenal’s £100m transfer target Alexander Isak is ‘on another level’ to current Gunners striker Gabriel Jesus.

That is the opinion of Arsenal legend Paul Merson, who claims Isak would be the ‘icing on the cake’ for a team challenging for the Premier League title.

Following two successive draws Arsenal returned to winning ways on Saturday, thumping Crystal Palace 5-1 to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Jesus scored twice in the emphatic victory at Selhurst Park, continuing his revival following a midweek hat-trick in the Carabao Cup win over the same opposition.

The Brazilian was hailed for helping to raise standards at Arsenal following his £50m move from Manchester City in 2022 but Jesus only scored four league goals last season before going through a period of finding the back of the net once in 20 matches this term.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in bolstering Mikel Arteta’s attacking options during the January transfer window but it remains to be seen whether Jesus’ mini-revival will alter their plans.

Merson believes his former club would benefit from the arrival of a new striker and says Isak would cause ‘massive problems’ to Arsenal’s rivals if he was to move to north London.

Newcastle United signed Isak in a club-record deal from Real Sociedad in 2022 and the Sweden international has thrived at St James’ Park, scoring 41 goals in 67 league games.

'I said this about Alexander Isak at the start of the season and I’m not changing it, if Arsenal got him it would have been the icing on the cake,’ Merson told Sportskeeda.

'I know Gabriel Jesus scored a hat-trick in the cup game. But Isak is on a different level. 

'He’s a very good player and could have caused massive problems to other teams if Arsenal got him.' 

Isak scored a hat-trick in Newcastle’s 4-0 win over Ipswich Town on Saturday, taking his tally for the season to 11 goals from 18 games.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe insisted afterwards he was determined to keep the 25-year-old at the club amid interest from Arsenal and elsewhere.

‘We absolutely want to keep Alex at the football club,’ said Howe. ‘There's no part of me, or anybody at Newcastle, that wants to let Alex go.

‘He's very much part of our long-term plans. Personally, I don't see that being an issue.’

When asked if he feels he can convince Isak to stay at Newcastle, Howe said: ‘I don’t think necessarily at this stage that we have to.

‘He is motivated and he wants to do well. He has big aspirations for his career. He is still relatively young and still has a bright future ahead of him.

‘I know his desire to score goals is second to none. Every conversation I had about Newcastle concerning his future with him has been very positive.

‘I would love for him, and other players, to be the man who contributes to us winning a trophy. That is the aim.’

Manchester United hero Dwight Yorke recently urged Arsenal to ‘bang £100m on the table’ and sign Isak if they are serious about winning the Premier League.

'Everyone keeps banging on about Arsenal missing a number nine, and I do think there's something to it,’ the ex-United striker told sportlens.com.

'You watch their games, the last two, they've been so dominant and haven't been able to win the games.

'Let's have it right, they've dropped four vital points in their two last Premier League fixtures against Everton and Fulham. 

'They're missing something. I can't understand why Arsenal hesitated when they had the opportunity to sign Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad. They sat on their hands, and Newcastle swooped in and took him. That was ridiculous. 

'If Arsenal want to win the Premier League title, they should go to Newcastle and bang £100million on the table for Isak as soon as the January transfer window opens. 

'I think the kid looks really good whenever I see him play. He does all the right things properly. He's a threat. He would score so many goals playing for Arsenal.'

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