Alexander Isak’s Impressive Form and Potential Future at Newcastle United

Newcastle United’s striker, Alexander Isak, is experiencing a renewed surge in goal-scoring, prompting speculation about the Magpies’ ability to retain him at St James’ Park. The 25-year-old Swedish international recently netted his fourth goal in as many games, contributing to his team’s 3-1 comeback victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. His comprehensive performance particularly impressed former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, who was analyzing the match for BBC MOTD2. Walcott shared his perspective with BBC Sport, stating, “When you talk about the mould for the ultimate build of a perfect striker, Isak has got all of those elements.” He elaborated, “I am not saying he is perfect yet, but he has got all the attributes he needs to become perfect.” Expressing uncertainty about Isak’s long-term tenure at Newcastle, Walcott added, “Whether that will happen at Newcastle, I don’t know. But they need to tie him down pretty quickly otherwise they are going to lose him.” He suggested that Isak is the kind of player “Arsenal genuinely need,” and that “everyone needs a player like him in their team right now, even Liverpool,” with interest extending beyond Premier League clubs. Walcott further commented on Isak’s potential impact at elite teams: “Look at Real Madrid’s line-up at this moment in time. They go for these Galacticos and buy these incredible talents, but they sometimes put them in positions where they can’t quite do it.” He concluded, “I would say that if you put Isak in that Real team then he moulds them together in a different way, where you might think they now look like a very well-balanced team.” Walcott affirmed, “That’s the level he’s at, and I can absolutely understand why all the very top teams would want him.” In addition to his versatile forward play, Isak is also a prolific scorer of diverse goals. Walcott recalled his comments on MOTD2, describing Isak’s finish against Forest, when the ball dropped to him in the box, as “pure class,” following his “brilliant header” against Arsenal the previous week. Walcott also predicted further development, stating, “There is more to come from him as well. Newcastle are a good team, but put him in a better team and he would get better too.” Isak’s goal against Forest marked his 35th in 61 Premier League appearances. While Isak scored 25 goals for the Magpies last season, he experienced a slower start to the current campaign, scoring only once in his initial seven appearances before his current excellent run of form. Sunday’s game was promoted as a contest between two in-form strikers, with Forest’s Chris Wood also enjoying a strong scoring streak. However, Walcott believes Isak warrants comparisons to more distinguished players than the 6ft 3in New Zealand target man. Walcott explained Wood’s role: “Wood’s role for Forest plays to his strengths, which are occupying the centre-halves as a big hold-up player, and putting away any chances the wingers make for him inside the box.” He continued, “He’s extremely effective if you give him that service, and he has had a really good season, but you can keep him quiet by stopping his supply like Newcastle did.” In contrast, Walcott characterized Isak as “far more of an all-rounder,” capable of holding up play like Wood, but also presenting central defenders with varied challenges. He highlighted Isak’s “pace, as well as a physical presence,” adding that “he is composed on the ball and his energy levels mean he can press as well.” Walcott further noted, “He’s the sort of player who does not get bored on the pitch, and that makes him harder to stop. You get certain players who at times might think ‘I am not getting the ball and I can’t get involved’ and they switch off.” Regarding Isak’s adaptability, Walcott stated: “With Isak, he can adapt. He might think ‘OK, it is not working for me as a number nine at the moment’, so he will drop deep to play as a 10, or go out to the wing and Anthony Gordon can come inside. He is comfortable everywhere on the pitch.” Walcott emphasized that this ability to rotate positions and occupy every role in a frontline contributes to his constant threat. He concluded that Isak “is something pretty unique in the Premier League right now, and for me he is the closest thing we have seen to another Thierry Henry.” Walcott drew further comparisons to Henry: “Henry started out wide, so he knew that role very well, and Isak’s pace and strength means he is excellent in those areas too.” He then highlighted a key difference: “But where Henry was not particularly great was with his back to goal, or heading the ball, and Isak can head it – the perfect example of that was his winning goal against Arsenal last week.” Walcott summarized his view: “I would say he is this generation’s Henry, but with extra attributes in the air. That’s who I would compare him to from my era, anyway.” Walcott playfully described Isak’s playing style as “a mix of Didier Drogba, Michael Owen and Henry – oh and with a dash of Theo Walcott’s pace out wide. That’s not a bad mix at all, is it?” Isak, who joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad for £63m in August 2022, is under contract until 2028 but has reportedly attracted interest from clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea in recent months. Walcott believes Arsenal would benefit from the variety Isak brings to Newcastle’s attack and expressed a desire to see him link up with Martin Odegaard at his former club. Walcott explained: “Centre-halves can become quite comfortable. They understand now how to face a front-three set-up, for example when you have got your standard wingers who might like to cut inside, and then a number nine who wants to hold the ball up – and that’s about it.” He continued, “What you want to see is players who might think about how to test defenders in a different way, so they know they cannot relax for a second.” Walcott observed, “Watching Arsenal, they are not one-dimensional but their attacks can be a little bit predictable at times.” He then posed a scenario: “Imagine them having the option of a player like Isak who can genuinely do everything, and then put Odegaard, for instance, behind him.” While acknowledging Kai Havertz’s performance, Walcott stated, “Kai Havertz has been brilliant at leading the line, up to a point, but we are talking about Arsenal challenging to win the league, and they need that next level of player to do that.” He concluded that “Isak would be it, at any club,” but advised, “if Arsenal do want him then they have to get in there quick, because Real Madrid, or someone like that, are going come knocking, and his price is only going to go up.” Arsenal’s starting lineup in Sunday’s draw with Chelsea highlights a period where the Gunners have managed only four goals in their last six matches across the Premier League and Champions League.