Is Isak the perfect Aubameyang replacement for Arsenal in January?

The January transfer window may have only just opened but Arsenal are apparently intent on wasting no time as they look to bolster their attacking line up.

According to El Nacional, the London club are on the cusp of signing star striker Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad as a long-term replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabon forward has been stripped of his captaincy and starting role at the club and it seems as though he may be replaced entirely by the incoming Sweden international.

Currently valued at no less than €45 million, it remains to be seen how the Premier League side will be able to afford Isak. But what Arsenal fans will want to know is whether Isak can score goals and, ultimately, replace their former talisman.

How good is Isak?

Isak had a tough start to life as a striker in Europe’s top leagues, after initially flopping at Borussia Dortmund, following a move to the Bundesliga side in 2017.

However, since departing for Sociedad in 2019, the young Swedish striker has taken great strides with his development and finally began to fulfil some of the promise that he showed at his hometown club of AIK some time ago.

For example, since joining the Spanish club, Isak has bagged no less than 40 goals and seven assists in 111 games. That may not sound all that impressive at first, but the striker’s form has accelerated over the course of the last few seasons.

Last season the striker bagged no less than 17 goals and two assists in 34 La Liga games, which earned him a huge amount of praise across European football. And with seven goals and two assists already this season, Isak is showing no signs of slowing down.

How similar is he to Aubameyang?

With a tall frame and quick on the ball, Isak is an ideal penalty box striker who can certainly perform roles outside of the opposing penalty box if called upon.

For Sociedad, the Sweden international has occasionally found himself out on the wing but is certainly not accustomed to it. And as such, Isak may not entirely enjoy playing a wider role like the one Aubameyang tends to take up.

However, that may no longer be an issue. Recently, Arteta has switched to a more traditional front two and that would mean Isak would be able to play up front as a more orthodox striker, which is where Arsenal would undoubtedly get the best out of him.