Paul Scholes has given a dismissive verdict on the idea of Alexander Isak joining Arsenal, telling the Newcastle forward to aim for "bigger and better" things.
Isak has been one of the Premier League's most prolific forwards this season, scoring 17 goals from 22 starts in the English top flight and generating huge interest from some of the best clubs in the world.
The Swedish striker was heavily linked with Arsenal in the January transfer window, though the Gunners ended up failing to sign a new forward despite Mikel Arteta repeatedly calling for more quality and depth up front.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was adamant Isak would not leave in January and now there has been suggestions Arsenal could move for him in the summer instead - though Scholes has urged the player to "set his sights higher".
Isak starred against the Gunners in two 2-0 wins for Newcastle in both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-finals as he bullied centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. And Manchester United legend Scholes feels the 25-year-old would be better off going to a club where major trophies are guaranteed.
"Everyone loves him but I don’t see a possibility of him going to Arsenal,’ Scholes said on The Overlap. ‘He needs to go bigger and better. We’re talking about Real Madrid here, Liverpool need a centre forward. I think Arsenal would be an option but I think they would be down the list of options.
"I don’t mean that in a bad way but he’s at Newcastle, a really good team, a brilliant team, but they’re not going to win league titles, that’s the next stage of his career."
Scholes agreed Isak would take Arsenal "to the next level" after going through the 2024-25 season without a recognised No 9, while also seeing injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, but the legendary ex-midfielder said it would be a "risk" to move to the Emirates.
"I think it would be a risk to go to Arsenal and do the same thing," he added. "Liverpool have got a much better chance, Man City and Real Madrid the same. I think his sights should be higher than Arsenal. He is a player Man United would be looking at but in the position we’re in now… it’s not going to happen.’
"Yeah. I agree he takes Arsenal to another level, he would be brilliant and he could possibly get you over the line. But I just think there’s bigger and better in him."
Vizcdeklns
26
To hell with your shithouse opinion..Isak may not even be good enough for Arsenal considering that this is actually his first season to do something out of the ordinary..His injury record is not exactly something to be proud of.Lautaro is more proven..Sesko is physically a better specimen and got age on his side .Dusan Vlahovic and Gyokeres are options better than him
cuteimnpu
9
It is a big shame to Man Utd that out of the class of 92, none could take the club to its glorious days. Seeing Arteta doing great at Arsenal is giving him sleepless nights, and hence the hatred towards Gunners.