Arsenal could have signed Alexander Isak for half price in 2022 – the reason they didn’t is infuriating

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Alexander Isak taught Arsenal a lesson in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, opening the scoring to contribute to Newcastle United’s win.

For the first time since 2001/02, a Newcastle player scored against Arsenal in two games in a single campaign.

That man was Isak, who is scoring freely at present, already on 15 goals for the 2024/25 calendar being one of the most in-form strikers in Europe.

Arsenal admire Isak as a transfer target, as do many clubs in Europe, with his ongoing form a constant reminder of what Mikel Arteta is missing from his squad.

• READ MORE: Arsenal fans are all fuming with Mikel Arteta after Alexander Isak impact for Newcastle in EFL Cup

Why Arsenal didn’t sign Alexander Isak in 2022

Isak inspired Newcastle to victory as he so often does, punishing Arsenal whenever given the slightest chance.

The Sweden international showed up Arsenal’s forwards, giving Kai Havertz a lesson in being a poacher, as the German was anonymous. 

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta sent humiliating message as FIVE score below 5/10  – Arsenal player ratings vs Newcastle

After the game, Arteta praised Isak’s clinical nature, sending a subtle message to the Arsenal board, signalling what an out-and-out number nine can do.

The result was damning and Isak’s contribution was even more so, as Arsenal could’ve signed the Swede back in 2022.

Rewinding back to before the striker left Real Sociedad, the Gunners were eyeing his services, as he sported a release clause of £75m.

After the January window that year, The Athletic detailed exactly why Arsenal declined the opportunity to sign the forward. 

It was stated that the player’s release clause was ‘deemed to be over his true market value’ and therefore, Arsenal didn’t opt to take the next step. 

Later that year, Arteta and Edu Gaspar sanctioned a £45m deal to sign Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City and Newcastle eventually signed Isak for £63m.

The difference between Isak and Arsenal strikers

Arteta seems to be aware of what Arsenal could’ve had in Isak, as his post-match comments on the striker were rather damning for those in his squad.

“The ball arrived to him and he had one of the big chances. That’s what you have when you have real quality up front,” he said, something Arsenal are missing tremendously.

The numbers only emphasise the blunder Arsenal made by turning their backs on Isak in 2022, with the Sweden international performing head and shoulders above those at the Emirates.

Rightfully, the Geordies now value their talisman close to the £150m mark, double his release clause value in 2022, making Arsenal’s chances of pulling off a transfer incredibly slim.