'I'm surprised' - Paul Merson sends blunt Alexander Isak transfer message to Arsenal

Arsenal have been told why they need to "break the bank" to sign Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.

The Gunners were heavily linked with a move for Isak during the summer transfer window as the club were tipped to sign a striker before the Premier League season began.

Several strikers were linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium during the summer transfer window, but Mikel Arteta and Co. decided against bringing in a new centre forward despite allowing Eddie Nketiah to leave the club and join Crystal Palace.

Isak was joined by the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko in being linked with a move to Arsenal, and a Gunners legend has explained why the Newcastle star should be a target for their former club.

Paul Merson has named Isak as the striker that is the "missing link" for Arsenal, and has urged his former club to use their transfer funds to sign the Sweden international.

"I'm a big fan of this lad [Isak]," Merson told Sky Sports. "I'm surprised Arsenal didn't try to break the bank for him at the start of the season.

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"I think he was the missing link for Arsenal. He can do everything, he can come short, get in the box, he can spread the game. That's what you need at Arsenal, so you can get people like [Martin] Odegaard and [Bukayo] Saka on the ball.

"At the moment, Arsenal are a bit congested and haven't got that running beyond player who's going to stretch the game. I'm a big fan [of Isak], really big fan."