Arsenal: Alexander Isak, Nico Williams and how Gunners plan to overhaul their attack this summer

Arsenal: Alexander Isak, Nico Williams and how Gunners plan to overhaul their attack this summer

Arsenal ready to sign two forwards in big first transfer window for incoming sporting director Andrea Berta

Newcastle are adamant Isak is not for sale and chief executive Darren Eales confirmed earlier this month they want to extend his contract.

Arteta has spoken about how the next step for Arsenal involves “efficiency” in both penalty areas and that explains the club’s interest in Isak.

Among players who have hit double figures for Premier League goals this season, Isak’s shot conversation rate is only bettered by Chris Wood.

He has found the net with 27.54 per cent of his shots on goal. Erling Haaland comes in at 20.59 per cent and Mohamed Salah at 25.47 per cent.

A lethal finisher has long been what many have felt Arsenal need and the fact Isak is proven in the Premier League only adds to the attraction.

But Newcastle are in a strong position and reports last year suggested they will set an asking price in excess of £100million.

RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko is another option and someone Arsenal pursued last summer. A deal was tentatively explored in January, but RB Leipzig had no plans to sell then.

Liga this season, only Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has attempted to dribble past opponents more than Williams. When it comes to successfully doing so, Williams ranks fifth behind an illustrious group that includes Yamal, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

Arsenal have also been linked with Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo and Bournemouth winger Antonie Semenyo, who would fit the bill of adding more pace and threat out wide.

New arrivals may lead to departures and the future of Leandro Trossard is one to watch. The Belgian turned 30 in December and was the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia last summer.

Ethan Nwaneri has shown himself to be a viable back-up to Bukayo Saka, which has been a problem area for Arsenal, but the Gunners need more firepower.

The fact Gabriel Jesus will not be back until the end of the year only adds to that and Kai Havertz will also still be recovering from his hamstring injury when pre-season begins this summer.

Incoming sporting director Andrea Berta has plenty of work to do.

Frontline reboot: Mikel Arteta has long-term admiration for Alexander Isak and Nico Williams

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Victory over Chelsea last weekend did not mask the fact that Arsenal need to bolster their attack this summer.

The Gunners struggled to create on their way to 1-0 a win and it was only thanks to Mikel Merino’s header from a corner that they secured all three points.

Arsenal have played 29 Premier League games this season and in 14 of them they have scored one goal or less.

Injuries have played their part in that and last year showed Mikel Arteta’s side can be lethal going forward. Indeed, in 2024, Arsenal scored 114 goals in all competitions at the club’s best scoring rate for more than 60 years.

But this season has shown that more options and reinforcements are needed. Arsenal plan to rectify that this summer, with their desire to bring in a striker and winger.

The Gunners also want to strengthen other areas of the squad and good progress has been made over a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.