Alexander Isak has insisted he is 'really happy' with how things are going at Newcastle United following an impressive end to 2024.

The Carabao Cup semi-finalists will ring in the new year in fifth place after Isak helped fire his side up the table. Remarkably, in December alone, the striker has eight goals and two assists to his name.

That form has not gone unnoticed, of course. Tim Sherwood suggested Isak 'might be rehearsing' ahead of facing Arsenal last month and the ex-Spurs boss bizarrely claimed the Sweden star 'might have his back up to say if you're looking, I'm here'. Paul Merson has spoken about how Isak is the 'missing link' for his former side. Theo Walcott has talked about how Isak 'is the sort of player Arsenal genuinely need'. Troy Deeney has advised the Gunners to 'just sign him and you'll win the league'.

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However, after opening the scoring in Newcastle's 2-0 win against Manchester United, Isak reiterated that 'all my focus is here'.

"I've had a good year and I'm really happy with how things are going for me and for the team as well now so we just have to keep going in the new year playing the same way," he told Sky Sports. "It's not just me - the whole team are very ambitious. We played in the Champions League last season so it's in all of our interests to get back there.

"It's a long way until the season ends so I don't think we should be looking too much at the table, but the ambition of the team is to get into Europe again so we just have to keep the same level, stay focused and take one game at a time and just keep going in the same direction."