Alexander Isak was always going to have a huge say on proceedings as Arsenal and Newcastle United met in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash on Tuesday evening. Coming into the encounter in red-hot form after hitting 13 goals in 14 games, the Swede would add to his tally at the Emirates Stadium to give the visitors the advantage heading into next month's return leg.

Constantly linked with a transfer to Arsenal and very much the striker supporters are pining for when it comes to bringing in a frontman who can take the team to the next level, Isak went on to deliver a masterclass in the capital. Prior to the match, Arsenal supporters made their feelings clear to the striker when he disembarked the Newcastle team coach and walked into the Emirates Stadium.

"Isak, welcome home," was the message from one supporter, with others also shouting "welcome home" at the former Real Sociedad man. The video duly went viral on social media and a few Newcastle supporters unsurprisingly had quite a bit to say about it.

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Transfer talk surrounding Isak will only continue to grow considering his form in front of goal but there is simply no way Newcastle will part with him unless they receive an astronomical offer. Recent reports have indicated that a fee in excess of £150million could be required for the north east club to even consider selling him.

That figure will very probably only increase if Isak continues to go from strength to strength in the months ahead. The Solna-born player showed everyone that he is the complete striker and the best in the Premier League right now with a stunning display against Mikel Arteta's men.

Right from the off he caused Arsenal a host of issues with his pace, skill, strength, movement and eye for a pass proving decisive. Setting Joelinton up for an early opportunity and then easily getting the better of William Saliba down the right leading up to Sandro Tonali's attempt on goal, he also set Jacob Murphy free with an eye-catching ball that split the Arsenal backline.

Isak's goal was the striker at his clinical best as Newcastle took full advantage from Martin Dubravka's long kick into the box. Giving Martin Odegaard a push to create a yard of space as Murphy's touch fell his way, the frontman swept the ball high into the net to take his tally to 14 goals in 15 games.

He was again to be decisive for Newcastle's second goal of the evening as he was involved in the play outside of the area before making a darting run into the box to link up with Murphy. Isak was to get a shot away on goal, with Anthony Gordon on hand to tap home at the back post after David Raya could only palm the ball into his path.

Not long after conceding a second goal, Arsenal had a chance of their own to reduce the scoreline but Kai Havertz passed it up from six yards out. The German was left all alone in the box as Leandro Trossard's cross fell his way but his attempted header actually struck his shoulder and went wide of the post.

A huge chance in the game to bring Arsenal back into the contest, Havertz wasted it and it may prove incredibly costly come the full-time whistle in the second leg at the beginning of February. Arsenal fans were no doubt wishing for Isak to be wearing a red shirt in that position as there was no way he would have missed given his prowess in front of goal.

Arsenal did have some good openings in the game and their missed opportunities once again highlighted that they desperately need a world-class frontman to hit the next level. That's what they crucially lack right now and Arteta's dream of bringing major honours to the Emirates Stadium unfortunately may not come to fruition unless the deadly striker vacancy is filled.

Asked about Isak in his post-match press conference, Arteta said: "Yeah obviously and the ball arrived to him, that he created and had a lot of big changes. He was involved in both goals as well, unfortunately the two times he had the ball in the box and that’s what happens when you have real quality up front and they can make the difference, and they’re very clinical."

Isak has everything Arsenal require in a striker but he's Newcastle's man and a major reason for their two-goal lead heading into the second leg. Having dropped a masterclass in Tuesday's game at the capital, he will be out to do exactly the same in four weeks' time and Arsenal quite simply have to find a way of stopping him.