I scored 107 goals for Arsenal and I know who their missing link is that could help them catch Liverpool

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith believes Newcastle United star Alexander Isak would ‘definitely’ fit in to the current Gunners side and even feels he could be the missing link Mikel Arteta’s team need in order to challenge Liverpool.

Arsenal are nine points behind the Reds ahead of a weekend that sees West Ham United visit the Emirates Stadium and Manchester City head to Anfield. Something lacking within Arteta’s squad is the presence of an out-and-out goalscorer. The Gunners have scored 21 goals in 12 Premier League games which is fewer than the rest of top six bar Brighton, who also have 21.

There are reports that Arsenal have drawn up a long shortlist of possible strikers, one of who is Isak. The Swedish international has long been linked with the Gunners following his £58m move from Real Sociedad to Newcastle back in the summer of 2022. The striker has scored 35 and assisted a further five goals in 62 Premier League games for Newcastle and Smith - who scored 107 times in 325 games for Arsenal - believes he would be a great signing for the North London club.

He said: “I think Alexander Isak would definitely fit in at Arsenal. It might be that he doesn’t play every week, but I am a big fan of his. Technically, he is very good and I think you have to be in that Arsenal team. He’s somebody that’ll play on that last line more than Kai Havertz wants to do.

“I don’t know whether Newcastle will let him go at this stage in the season, it depends on how much money Arsenal have got. There’s a missing link in their attack and Isak would complete it. Liverpool have got loads of options and Arsenal just don’t have that depth in quality in those positions. Isak would be a great signing.”

Any deal for Isak would not cheap given his contract at St James’ Park runs until 2028. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe would be resistant to losing such an important star and said of the Swede earlier this year: "We of course love him [Isak] and are desperate for him to stay at Newcastle for many years and score loads of goals for us. I don't see a short-term issue with his contract."