Paul Merson tells Arsenal to 'break the bank' for £150m star who he would take over Erling Haaland

01/02/2025 06:01 AM

Paul Merson has urged Arsenal to ‘break the bank’ for Alexander Isak before the January transfer deadline, hailing the Newcastle forward as ‘the best in the business’.

Arsenal kicked off the new year in style, coming from behind to win 3-1 at Brentford to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to just six points ahead of their trip to Brighton this weekend.

In an entertaining first half, Gabriel Jesus cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s early strike to continue his excellent run of form in front of goal, before Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli hit the target to put the game to bed in the second period.

Jesus took his tally to seven goals in all competitions with his 29th-minute equaliser at the Gtech Community Stadium, with six of those efforts coming in the Gunners’ last four games.

But despite Jesus’ resurgence, there remain calls for Arsenal to make a marquee signing up front this month, as Mikel Arteta’s men look to get their hands on their first major trophy in four years in the second half of the campaign.

Speaking to Sky Sports News the morning after the victory over Brentford, Merson suggested there was only one player Arsenal should be focussing their efforts on signing in attack.

‘If I was Arsenal and I had the money I would go out and buy Isak, I’d break the bank for him,’ the ex-Arsenal and England midfielder said.

‘I think he’s the best of the best and he takes Arsenal to another level.

‘What I like about Jesus is he’s got back in the team this time around and he’s gone, “You know what, I’m going to get in the box, I need to score goals if I’m going to stay at this football team”, and that’s what he’s done.

‘That goal yesterday was a proper poacher’s goal. It’s very rare we say him in that six-yard box, heading them in from there.

‘With [Kai] Havertz coming back as well, he wasn’t well, it pushes Havertz back to midfield, but Havertz, naturally as a forward, will get in the box and there’s an extra body in there.

‘Hopefully, if Jesus can keep doing what he’s doing, they won’t have to [sign anyone], but I’m looking at the all-round picture and I’m looking at next season as well.

‘I think if they can get hold of Isak, who I think is the best in the business at the moment, I think that would be a massive coup for Arsenal. Sorry, Newcastle fans!’

Asked which player he would choose to take on a half-season loan between Isak and Erling Haaland, Merson replied: ‘The way Arsenal play, I would have to go with Isak, yeah.

‘Arsenal have got a lot of build-up play and they want the forward to join in, whether it be Havertz or Jesus, the way they play through the lines.

‘He probably suits Arsenal more than Haaland, but that’s a terrible question to be asking someone two days into the new year! But for Arsenal, I think they take Isak because of the way they play.’

According to Merson, Arsenal have ‘every chance’ in this season’s title race, as long as they keep Liverpool in their sights during Bukayo Saka’s absence from the side.

‘To come back, be patient and play the way they did, you could tell from Mikel Arteta’s reaction that he was well pleased with that result,’ he added.

‘I’m a big fan of this kid Nwaneri, I think he’s an amazing player. He’s been patient to get his chance.

‘He’s not Saka, he’s a different kind of player. Saka is going to be missed. Saka, [Martin] Odegaard and [Declan] Rice are probably their three best players.

‘[Ethan] Nwaneri will come in and he has to be looked after. I don’t know if he will play week in, week out, I think Mikel Arteta will have to look after his minutes in that way. But yeah, a massive talent.

‘Arsenal have got to hang on the coattails of Liverpool and hopefully by the time Saka comes back, if Arsenal are still in the title race then they have every chance.’

Recent reports suggested Newcastle had slapped an eye-watering £150million price tag on Isak amid interest from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool.

But speaking after Newcastle’s win over Manchester United, the Swede insisted such talk ‘doesn’t really faze him too much’.

'No, it doesn't really faze me too much. I think that's more for you guys and for fans to talk about,' he replied when quizzed on reports surrounding his price tag.

'I'm in the middle of the season and I think it's going really well for me and the team, so, you know, all my focus is here.

'I'm really happy with how things are going. My focus is on the pitch.'

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