Arsenal are very much in the hunt for the Premier League title following Liverpool’s latest slip up away at Aston Villa.
Arsenal fans are convinced Virgil Van Dijk is panicking following a post-match interview where the Dutch defender mentions Arsenal instead of his opponents Aston Villa.
With the Premier League and Champions League still realistic possibilities this season, the club are already planning for next season and their summer plans.
Arsenal are ready and willing to sign Alexander Isak and should the Gunners be able to get a deal over the line, it would open up whole new possibilities for one player other than Raheem Sterling, who has not been at their best this campaign.
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Alexander Isak would help Martin Odegaard rediscover his best form
Should Arsenal manage to sign Newcastle striker Isak, not only would be he undoubtedly bring goals himself to the team but would also bring out a better attacking output from players around him.
Martin Odegaard is a player that thrives when given space around him and this season the Norwegian has struggled to find his usual goals and assists because he has been suffocated by low block defences.
Mikel Arteta needs Odegaard to rediscover his goalscoring form and that will come with the signing of Swedish international Isak, the Gunners skipper has scored just twice in the league so far.
The duo have already played together at Real Sociedad and built up a superb understanding of each other’s game, whilst Isak’s ability to stretch defences will open up space for Odegaard to operate in.
It may be too late for this campaign, one in which the Norwegian needs to find a different solution to his struggling form, however Odegaard will explode into life next season if Arsenal can capture Isak.
Odegaard improved his performance against Leicester City
Without a recognised centre forward, Odegaard found it difficult to create any chances in the first half of Arsenal’s recent win over Leicester City – the Gunners had just one shot on target from Leandro Trossard.
Odegaard’s second half improvement was significant in the win as he dropped deeper to pick up the ball then was able to feed the likes of Trossard and young star Ethan Nwaneri.
Whether Arteta does experiment with Mikel Merino up front remains to be seen but one is for sure, the Gunners will be relying on Odegaard to carry the bulk of the attacking threat.
The Norwegian found a way to influence the game by dropping deep and he may have to continue to think outside the box to drag his side through this tricky but crucial run of games.
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