Liverpool's pursuit of Alexander Isak piles pressure on Arsenal to make serious Eberechi Eze move | OneFootball

Gunners must ensure gloss is not taken off an otherwise productive summer

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Even when it appears he is not joining Arsenal, the looming figure of Alexander Isak can still shape the club’s transfer business this summer.

Five new signings are through the door and Viktor Gyokeres is expected to make that six in the coming days.

Arsenal fans, however, want more - specifically, another creative player to bolster their attacking options.

The Gunners struggled last season when Martin Odegaard’s form dipped, and the consensus is that he needs more support.

Ethan Nwaneri has committed his future to the club by agreeing to sign a new contract, but like Odegaard, he operates as a right-sided No8. Arteta has yet to play the pair together.

Arsenal hold an interest in Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, who would help solve that issue of having more creativity from the left.

Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze has a £68m release clause

Action Images via Reuters

The 27-year-old is also capable of producing the “magic moments” that Arteta has claimed his team lacks.

For several reasons, Isak joining Liverpool would ramp up the pressure on Arsenal to sign Eze.

There is, firstly, the issue of Arsenal being outgunned by their rivals when it comes to attacking power this season.

Gyokeres and Noni Madueke undoubtedly improve Arsenal’s attacking options, but if Liverpool were to add Isak to the arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, it would be hard to argue that Arteta’s squad isn’t the weaker of the two.

The arrival of Eze would help close that gap, significantly strengthening Arsenal’s attack with his versatility. The England midfielder can play on the left flank, as a No8, a No10 or even as a false nine if required.

The idea of him as a left No8 alongside Odegaard is most appealing because it would allow Arsenal to play with two playmakers when needing to break teams down.

Eze has a release clause in his contract of £68m, meaning the combined fee for him and Gyokeres would be comparable to what Liverpool are reportedly willing to spend on Isak.

If Arsenal were to secure both players, it would at least make Isak’s move to Anfield more palatable for fans.

The Newcastle striker is a long-term target of Arsenal’s - and a player fans have wanted the club to sign.

But there would be some acceptance of him going elsewhere if the alternative was Arsenal signing Eze and Gyokeres.

The left side of Arsenal’s attack was an issue last season, and there’s an argument that strengthening that area - along with signing a striker - is a more balanced use of funds than spending it all on Isak.

Liverpool appear to be in pole position to sign Alexander Isak

AFP via Getty Images

Looking at Arsenal’s spending and current squad depth, however, it feels like there would need to be some outgoings for Eze to come in.

The club are yet to complete a significant sale this summer and they are not short on players out left, even if they are not the same profile of Eze.

That’s why selling Leandro Trossard may make sense, as it would create space in the squad and raise funds.

The next few weeks will be intriguing, and important for the mood around Arsenal heading into the new campaign.

Even with six new signings, the sight of Isak in a Liverpool shirt would be painful - and take some of the gloss off what has otherwise been a productive summer.

The arrival of Eze, however, could shift that - giving everyone inside and outside the club a lift going into the season.

Eze is not only an established Premier League player, but also a boyhood Arsenal fan. He cried when released by the club at 13, and would surely relish a reunion.

And if Isak does go to Liverpool, Arsenal would relish having Eze back, too.