And here’s what you could have had. No, maybe don’t look too closely. It is no secret Arsenal made attempts to sign Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad a few years back. There was some vague, whisper-on-the-wind talk of a bid again this summer. Good luck with that one now. How much would it take these days? A hundred and fifty million? A six pack of gold Fabergé eggs encased in Parmesan cheese? Ten thousand head of cattle and half of Hertfordshire?
Isak isn’t just a player Arsenal have wanted, but a type they have missed, a razor edge in a team that still basically wants to tickle you to death. No doubt after this 2-0 semi-final first leg victory for an excellent Newcastle team, driven by a wonderful performance from Isak, there will be some painful focus on the points of contrast with Arsenal’s own meanderings in attack.
