Arsenal told they are just one signing away from being 'big title favourites'

Arsenal are 15 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table after being hurt by their lack of forward options - with Mikel Arteta forced to play midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift centre-forward amid their injury crisis

Arsenal could become "big, big title favourites" if they sign Newcastle forward Alexander Isak this summer, according to Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink. The Gunners have fallen 15 points behind rivals Liverpool in the race for the Premier League crown and their lack of a recognised striker has severely hurt their chances.

Mikel Arteta's men have also been rocked by an injury crisis that has ruled out forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, with Bukayo Saka also sidelined for the last few months.

Arsenal were strongly linked with a new forward in January and made a late move for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins that ended in failure. There was also speculation they could sign Isak but a move never materialised.

The Gunners have been in the title race for the last three seasons - twice being bettered by Pep Guardiola's Manchester City before Arne Slot's Liverpool overpowered them.

Their lack of options up front this season, coupled with their injuries, have forced Arteta to play midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift forward - which has had mixed success so far.

Former Chelsea striker Hasselbaink believes a proven striker will be crucial if they are to end their 22-year wait for a title next season and said the club should go all out for Isak.

"First of all, I don't know if they have to break the bank," he told Gambling Zone. Mikel Arteta will know it better than me. If they're going for a striker and they want a proven striker, really there is only one: Isak.

"The problem is, will he leave Newcastle? Or will Newcastle let him go? Newcastle is a big, big club. Look, Arsenal is a massive, massive institution. Don't get me wrong. One is bigger than the other…

"If they get Isak, wow, what a force they are. With all the problems that Manchester City have, and I don't think that Liverpool is going to repeat what they’ve done this season next season, because they have got a lot to restructure in the summer.

"If Isak goes to Arsenal, it’s awesome for them. It’s a complete game-changer because of how good he is. If Arsenal can sign him, they’ll be big, big, big favourites for the Premier League title next year."

Other strikers Arsenal have been linked with are Red Bull Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko, Liverpool's Darwin Nunez and Victor Osimhen - who is on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli.

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