Martin Odegaard wades in on Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak debate as Arsenal star gives verdict on who is better

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Arsenal will be on the hunt for their own Erling Haaland this summer, as Mikel Arteta looks to add a prolific striker to his ranks.

Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz could both be unavailable for the start of next season due to their respective injuries, but the Gunners needed a number nine regardless of the duo’s fitness status.

Benjamin Sesko is understood to be Arsenal’s primary target, while the likes of Matheus Cunha and Hugo Ekitike have also been linked.

However, Alexander Isak is Arteta’s dream signing and the North London club may be willing to break the bank to land the potent Swede.

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Martin Odegaard has his say on Alexander Isak vs Erling Haaland

If Arsenal do end up landing Isak, Arteta will instantly have access to a partnership in his team that has blossomed elsewhere.

Martin Odegaard played with Isak at Real Sociedad, and the two players developed a devastating relationship that ripped up La Liga.

The Norwegian has, of course, also played Haaland, who is being touted alongside Isak as the best striker in the Premier League.

The pair of number nines are being directly pitted against each other by many, and Odegaard has had his say on the comparisons.

Asked by Fotboll Skanalen which of the two was better, the Arsenal skipper responded: “Both are good in and around the box and score a lot of goals. They are a little different in their style of play, but both are dangerous goal scorers.

“I have been lucky enough to play with both of them and found it enjoyable. If you look at what Erling has done and the records, he sets all the time, it speaks for itself.

“But it is clear that Isak has had a very good season and is a fantastic player.”

Providing a diplomatic answer, Odegaard may be leaning more on Isak’s side next season, if he’s feeding the Newcastle man on a week-to-week basis at the Emirates.

Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland’s statistics compared

Isak is expected to cost in the region of £150 million, which suggests that it’s not a fluke that he’s in conversations with someone with Haaland’s pedigree.

As shown by the data below, Haaland may profile as more of a pure goal-scorer and poacher, but Isak offers a lot more in other aspects of the game.

Completing over a dribble more than Haaland per 90 minutes, Newcastle’s talisman creates more shots for his teammates, while accumulating more expected assists per 90.

In previous seasons, the numbers would’ve indicated that there’s a significant gap between the two players, but this term, it’s clear that there’s very little to separate the elite strikers.