Arsenal have to now move quickly to sign Alexander Isak before Real Madrid get him – Theo Walcott | OneFootball

Theo Walcott says Arsenal need to move in for Alexander Isak as soon as possible, or face the fact that Real Madrid could beat them to it.

The former Arsenal winger was very impressed after watching Newcastle United dominate Nottingham Forest, with the Sweden international making it now four games in a row he has scored in.

So impressed is Theo Walcott with Alexander Isak, he has declared ‘for me he is the closest thing we have seen to another Thierry Henry.’

Comparing players from different eras is always a tricky but interesting one.

Whether Alexander Isak is another Thierry Henry or not, I have no idea.

What I do know though is that he is a superb goalscorer AND all round player, who hopefully is going to be playing for Newcastle United many years into the future, not playing for Arsenal, Real Madrid,, or anybody else.

Theo Walcott talking to BBC Sport about Alexander Isak, after watching the striker score for a fourth game in a row in Newcastle’s 3-1 victory at Forest:

“When you talk about the mould for the ultimate build of a perfect striker, Alexander Isak has got all of those elements.

“I am not saying he is perfect yet… but he has got all the attributes he needs to become perfect.

“Whether that will happen at Newcastle, I don’t know, but they need to tie him down pretty quickly otherwise they are going to lose him.

“Alexander Isak is the sort of player Arsenal genuinely need, but you would say everyone needs a player like him in their team right now, even Liverpool, and it is not just Premier League teams who will be trying to get hold of him either.

“Look at Real Madrid’s line-up at this moment in time.

“They go for these Galacticos and buy these incredible talents but they sometimes put them in positions where they can’t quite do it.

“I would say that if you put Alexander Isak in that Real team then he moulds them together in a different way, where you might think they now look like a very well-balanced team.

“That’s the level he’s at and I can absolutely understand why all the very top teams would want him.

“As well as his all-round forward play, he scores goals as well – all kinds of different goals. As I said on MOTD2, his finish against Forest when the ball dropped for him in the box was pure class, after the brilliant header he put away against Arsenal last week.

“There is more to come from him as well. Newcastle are a good team but put him in a better team and he would get better too.

“Watching Arsenal, they are not one-dimensional but their attacks can be a little bit predictable at times.

“Imagine them having the option of a player like Isak who can genuinely do everything, and then put Odegaard, for instance, behind him.

“Kai Havertz has been brilliant at leading the line, up to a point, but we are talking about Arsenal challenging to win the league, and they need that next level of player to do that.

“Isak would be it, at any club, but if Arsenal do want him then they have to get in there quick, because Real Madrid, or someone like that, are going come knocking, and his price is only going to go up.”

Theo Walcott on Alexander Isak v Chris Wood:

“Chris Wood’s role for Forest plays to his strengths, which are occupying the centre-halves as a big hold-up player, and putting away any chances the wingers make for him inside the box.

“He’s extremely effective if you give him that service, and he has had a really good season, but you can keep him quiet by stopping his supply like Newcastle did.

“Isak is far more of an all-rounder, who can hold up play like Wood does, but also gives centre-halves different problems to think about. He’s got pace, as well as a physical presence, plus he is composed on the ball and his energy levels mean he can press as well.

“He’s the sort of player who does not get bored on the pitch and that makes him harder to stop. You get certain players who at times might think ‘I am not getting the ball and I can’t get involved’ and they switch off.

“With Isak, he can adapt. He might think ‘OK, it is not working for me as a number nine at the moment’, so he will drop deep to play as a 10, or go out to the wing and Anthony Gordon can come inside. He is comfortable everywhere on the pitch.

“The ability to rotate positions and occupy every role in a frontline is part of what makes him a constant threat. As a player he is something pretty unique in the Premier League right now, and for me he is the closest thing we have seen to another Thierry Henry.

“Henry started out wide, so he knew that role very well, and Isak’s pace and strength means he is excellent in those areas too. But where Henry was not particularly great was with his back to goal, or heading the ball, and Isak can head it – the perfect example of that was his winning goal against Arsenal last week.

“I would say he is this generation’s Henry, but with extra attributes in the air. That’s who I would compare him to from my era, anyway.

“His game makes him a mix of Didier Drogba, Michael Owen and Henry – oh and with a dash of Theo Walcott’s pace out wide. That’s not a bad mix at all, is it?”

Nottingham Forest 1 Newcastle 3 – Sunday 10 November 2pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Isak 54, Joelinton 72, Barnes 83

Forest:

Murillo 21

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Newcastle 56% (60%) Forest 44% (40%)

Total shots were Newcastle 17 (7) Forest 9 (3)

Shots on target were Newcastle 6 (2) Forest 3 (1)

Corners were Newcastle 5 (4) Forest 4 (2)

Touches in the box Newcastle 33 (20) Forest  17 (8)

Newcastle United team v Nottingham Forest:

Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Bruno, Willock (Tonali 69), Gordon (Barnes 80), Isak (Osula 90+8), Joelinton

Unused Subs:

Targett, Jacob Murphy, Dubravka, Miley, Almiron, Kelly

(Nottingham Forest 1 Newcastle 3 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players – Read HERE)

(Nuno Espirito Santo impressive comments after Newcastle United outclass Nottingham Forest – Read HERE)