Former Premier League striker Jermain Defoe has exclusively told Sports Mole that Arsenal should do everything they can to bring in Alexander Isak.
The Gunners were beaten 1-0 by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night and despite generating good opportunities in front of goal, they failed to convert and scored one or fewer goals for the seventh time in 14 games.
Kai Havertz has been primarily used by boss Mikel Arteta as the team’s striker, but the German has frequently been criticised for his performances up front.
When asked about potential striker targets for Arsenal, Defoe spoke highly of Newcastle United’s Isak but wondered if he would even be available in the summer when he told Sports Mole: “I don’t know if he’s got an option to go to, I just don’t know. Obviously if you’re Arsenal, you’d love to get him in the building because he’s one of the best at the minute.
“He’s shown that at Newcastle – he scores consistently, even when he played against [the likes of] Gabriel and Saliba. Two amazing centre-backs and he gave them problems, so he’s one of the best in the Premier League and I can imagine they would love to have him there.”
Isak’s tally of 22 Premier League goals is only second to Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and is 13 more than Havertz has managed, though it should be pointed out that the Magpies attacker has played roughly 600 minutes more than the Arsenal striker.
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Would Arsenal have won the title with a striker?
Arsenal tried to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa late in the January transfer window but they failed to meet Villa’s demands, and there is an argument that not signing an attacker cost the Gunners the chance of Premier League glory.
Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli all suffered injuries from December onwards, with the first three missing significant periods of the season.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Defoe insisted that Arsenal would have been able to pose more of a challenge to Liverpool had they reinforced up front, saying: “They would have been closer because I do feel sometimes the number nine can make the difference [if they had] someone like an Isak for instance.
“I know he was obviously linked with Arsenal, and he’s been linked with Liverpool – those sorts of players are the ones when games are tight, they’re the ones that can make a difference in the game and get you over the line.”
Arsenal have scored 63 Premier League goals this term, a tally that is 17 fewer than champions Liverpool and is currently 28 fewer than they managed in 2023-24.
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Is the criticism of Havertz harsh?
When Havertz was signed by Arteta in the summer of 2023 from Chelsea, he was utilised in midfield numerous times by the Gunners boss before he eventually was trusted up front.
Prior to his move to Chelsea, many had thought of him as more of a secondary striker, capable of playing alongside a primary goalscorer.
Defoe was keen to point out that Havertz has performed admirably despite not playing in his best position, telling Sports Mole: “There’s been talks for years now, Arsenal need to sign a forward, they need their number nine. With Havertz, the fans are not happy even though he’s done well considering he’s not a number nine and he’s had to play in that position and he’s still managed to score goals.
“But of course the Arsenal fans are craving a number nine, and there’s not many number nines out there compared to years ago, there’s not many to choose from. I do believe if they had that number nine they would have been a lot closer to Liverpool.”
Arsenal have also been strongly linked to Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, and though Havertz has at times shown promise, he looks certain to be replaced in the starting lineup in the upcoming transfer window.
Jermain Defoe was speaking to Sports Mole courtesy of bet365’s new Sub On, Play On product.
