Alexander Isak was a dream come true for Arsenal. Arsenal’s transfer windows were dominated by a search for prolific strikers for several years. Newcastle’s Isak came onto the scene with a bang, and the links with the Gunners were inevitable. He seemed like a perfect fit – tall, technical, quick, and unpredictable. Arsenal needed that, someone who could make an impact on the highest level.
Arsenal’s Step back from Isak
But the negotiations dragged on, and Newcastle’s demands crossed 120 million pounds, Arsenal stepped away. At the time, some fans questioned the thriftiness. Now, just months later, the wisdom of that choice feels clearer than ever.
It’s Liverpool who eventually staked their future on Isak. They paid a British record transfer fee and placed him under the sort of microscope that only Anfield can provide. Anticipation skyrocketed. The city buzzed with excitement, and the headlines wrote themselves — Isak, Liverpool’s new No. 9, the man to replace an aging attack.
But reality bites hard in football. Isak’s move was anything but smooth. While at Newcastle, he was already pushing for an exit. He skipped preseason, missed team activities, and made his frustrations known publicly. By the time Liverpool secured his signature, the pressure was immense, the fan debates fierce.
Isak’s Letdown
His Anfield debut didn’t live up to the hype. A single Carabao Cup goal against Southampton is all he can show for now. In the league, he’s yet to open his account. Watching him, the lack of sharpness is visible. The Isak of Newcastle, dynamic, clever, unflinching, feels miles away. He’s struggled to link play and often looks a step off the pace. Liverpool’s attack hiccupped instead of roaring. For a club that gambled a king’s ransom on him, the frustration is already growing.
Adaptation takes time, true, but Liverpool’s situation is not forgiving. Arne Slot’s system is precise and demanding, and Isak came in without a complete preseason. Critics are circling. The fee is not just a number, it’s a spotlight. Every missed chance, every loose touch gets magnified and replayed on highlight reels.
Consider, then, where Arsenal would be had they signed him. Their summer would have revolved around one man. The expectations would be suffocating. If things went wrong, the fallout would be impossible to escape. Fans questioning management. Media speculating about Arteta’s project. Instant doubts about other signings due to budget restrictions. Arsenal’s approach, a focus on collective strength and spreading investment, feels safer and more rational with every passing week.
Their current squad now looks more flexible. There’s no need to build the whole attack around one figure. Competition is up, and fresh faces bring energy rather than a single superstar who must deliver under extreme pressure. While Liverpool hope Isak will click soon, Arsenal’s steadiness shines brighter. They’ve avoided a crisis of expectation.
Conclusion
None of this is to say Isak’s race is run. He’s young. He may yet adapt to Anfield and become the star Liverpool dreamed of. Strikers often take time to settle, especially at clubs of this magnitude. But the early returns are worrying.
Arsenal’s restraint in the market feels bold, not timid. It’s evidence of learning from past mistakes. They won’t be strong-armed into making a move that unbalances the rest of their project. Instead, they watch from a distance as Liverpool juggle the risks and rewards of one of the most expensive deals in English football.
Football’s transfer windows are littered with “what ifs.” This time, Arsenal’s decision not to pursue Alexander Isak with full force already looks like a win. Sometimes, the best signings are the ones clubs never make. Arsenal may well have dodged a bullet—their future, for now, seems better for it.
