The former rear of the left back of Arsenal Gael Clichy thinks that his old club was eager to sign Alexander Isak this summer, but that he was simply unaffordable for them.
The Gunners ended up strengthening in advance, bringing Viktor Gyoking from Sporting Lisbon, while Isak ended up leaving Newcastle United to Liverpool late in the window.
Clichy admits that it now looks like an adjustment so that Arsenal plays with a poacher as a gyker leading the line, and it seems that he thinks that Isak would have been considered the most ideal.
The Swedish international has shown world -class capacity in Newcastle, showing that he can do so at the first League week in a week.
Isak will surely be a superb signature for Liverpool, but it may seem unrealistic for Arsenal for having paid the type of money he ended up costing.
Gael Clichy on Viktor Gyokerres and Alexander Isak
Addressing the Metro for the signature of Arsenal of Gyokerers this summer, Clichy said: “Is he (Gyokerres) the type of player that the fans of Arsenal wanted to see? Probably not. Are they satisfied with him and will they support him? It is sure, at the beginning, and they hope something incredible.
“I do not think he is the kind of player to whom Arsenal is used to, I do not think that in the link side of the game, he will provide what they need. I think someone like Isak was more suitable, but he will add something that Arsenal did not have.”
He added: “Arsenal certainly wanted Isak, any team would like him. But it was to anyone who could match the price and I don’t think Arsenal was ready to do so.
“Football in 2025 is who can spend the money on. He is a special player, but for Arsenal, when you look at the additions of Madueke and Eze, it’s just just having someone going in the box all the time.”
Who will score more goals this season – Isak or Gyokerers?
It will now be interesting to see how Isak gets along in Liverpool and how Gykerres behaves at Arsenal.
They are two fascinating attackers with the late two seasons.
See below how their figures compare, with Isak, obviously slightly lower, but with the record of gyoker in the Portuguese league …
| Player (2023-2025) | Games | Goals |
| Alexander Isaac | 82 | 52 |
| Viktor | 102 | 97 |
Liverpool won the title last season, and will surely be the favorites after such a strong transfer window in which they not only brought one of the best ISAK European attackers, but also other world -class talents like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike.
Arsenal was also busy and hope that Gyokerres can settle in England well, alongside other new additions like Ebelechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke.
