Mikel Arteta’s reason for rejecting Alexander Isak makes for difficult reading for Liverpool now Arsenal have been crowned Premier League champions.
The Gunners were confirmed as title winners after Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth, ending a 22-year wait to return to the summit of English football. Liverpool, meanwhile, are left to reflect on a season where their British-record move for Isak has not delivered the intended result.
The Swede’s broken leg could not have been predicted, but the wider squad issues created by spending so much on one player have been obvious. Arsenal might not be where they are had they made the same decision.
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Arsenal’s concern with signing Alexander Isak has played out at Liverpool
Liverpool were not alone in the chase last summer. Arsenal were also heavily linked with Isak, while Newcastle did everything they could to keep hold of their star striker before Liverpool eventually got the deal done.
But the suggestion now is that Arsenal could have moved for Isak if they really wanted to.
Speaking on TikTok, Miguel Delaney explained why Arteta decided against it.
He explained: “I’m told, they did briefly consider going for Alexander Isak, and a proposal was put to them. But ultimately, because Arteta was so concerned with creating squad depth, with needing backup in every position, that was the lesson of last season.
“They ultimately demurred, and they’re pretty vindicated of that because there have been questions about Isak’s ability to sustain performance in this kind of week-to-week schedule with the modern Champions League.”
To be fair, nobody could have forecast Isak breaking his leg. That was a freak injury, but it’s not like he had a stellar fitness record before coming to Anfield.
Really, though, it’s not so much to do with the player’s ability, but how much he cost. The consequences of that concentration of funds have been felt throughout the squad.
Arsenal made the opposite call, prioritising depth, and have been rewarded with the Premier League title.
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Of course, they have also benefited from a clear drop in standards around them. Man City have not been the same force, while Liverpool have collapsed far more dramatically than anyone expected.
Whether Isak was the right signing for Liverpool cannot be judged properly for another few seasons, but as Arsenal celebrate the title, it’s hard to argue with their decision to walk away from him.
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