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

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

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.

A new No9 is a priority, though, and Arsenal’s admiration for Alexander Isak is well documented. The club are long-term admirers of the Sweden international and have tracked him since his time at Real Sociedad.

Alexander Isak helped Newcastle win the Carabao Cup on Sunday

Action Images via Reuters

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.

Arsenal could revisit a move for RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko in the summer

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Their stance will soften in the summer and Arsenal will be joined by a host of clubs from around Europe that are interested in the 21-year-old, who should be available for roughly £60m.

At 6ft 5in tall, Sesko is an imposing figure and he has been compared to Haaland. Quick as well, he has 10 Bundesliga goals this season and five assists.

The Slovenian is much more raw than Isak, but he has huge potential and would suit Arsenal’s style.

Crucially, Sesko is a hard worker off the ball and his tally of 688 sprints in the Bundesliga this season is only bettered by eight players.

Arsenal would like to sign a wide player as well as a striker and they remain interested in Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.

The Spain international has a release clause of around £48m and, like Sesko, will not be short of suitors this summer.

Williams would offer genuine competition for Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank and satisfy Arsenal’s need to have players that can break a game open.

Nico Williams is another transfer target for Arsenal and has a release clause of around £48m

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Williams is not afraid to take players on and create those “magic moments” which Arteta has spoken about Arsenal lacking.

In La 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.