"It’s really not that difficult" - Arsenal can win the league if they sign PL star, claims Troy Deeney

Former Premier League player Troy Deeney has claimed that Arsenal need to sign Premier League striker Alexander Isak if they are to win the title. The Gunners have widely been linked with the Newcastle United forward in recent transfer windows, thanks to his impressive performances with the Magpies.

Isak left Real Sociedad for Newcastle in the summer of 2022 for a reported €70 million. They have been well rewarded, with the 25-year-old scoring 47 goals and providing nine assists in his 86 appearances for the English giants.

The Gunners have been on the hunt for firepower in the No. 9 role, which has led to links between the club and quality strikers, including Isak. He has scored 10 goals in his last 11 Premier League games, including a goal in their 3-0 win over Aston Villa at St. James Park on December 26.

After that game, Troy Deeney was full of praise for Isak. He urged the Gunners to sign the forward, writing in his BBC Sport column (via TBR Football):

“Back again, the man, the myth, Mr Isak. He’s the best striker in the Premier League currently. Arsenal, just sign him and you’ll win the league, it’s really not that difficult.”

It would require a massive fee - perhaps upwards of £100 million - for Newcastle to sell Isak, as his contract with the club does not expire for another three to four years.

---

Mikel Arteta provides injury update on Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has provided an update regarding Bukayo Saka's fitness troubles. The 23-year-old winger suffered a hamstring injury in their match against Crystal Palace. He was unavailable to play in their 1-0 win over Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium on December 27.

After the game, Arteta revealed that the winger would be out for many weeks while noting that he had undergone surgery. He said (via the club's official website):

"I would prefer to leave that to the doctor himself. But he had a procedure. Everything went well. But, unfortunately, he will be out for many, many weeks."

Speaking about the timeline for Saka's return, he added:

"I said many weeks, so I think it will be more than two months. I don't know exactly how much longer, I think it will depend, you know. How the scar tissue starts to heal the first week or so. The mobility of that. Let's see. It's very difficult to say."

Bukayo Saka has been an influential player for Arsenal this season, scoring five goals and providing 10 assists in 16 Premier League games. The Gunners will have to make do without his services for the foreseeable future.