Mikel Arteta has expressed his admiration for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak ahead of Arsenal's clash with the Magpies in the Carabao Cup.
Arsenal host the first leg of the semi-final on Tuesday night, as the Gunners look to stop Eddie Howe's side from their second final in two years.
With Newcastle getting the home advantage for the second leg, it will be pivotal Arsenal get a positive result at The Emirates, but dealing with Isak is going to be easier said than done.
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The Swedish striker has scored in each of his last six Premier League appearances, including a hattrick against relegation strugglers Ipswich Town.
Isak has been heavily linked to Arsenal in the past, with Football Insider reporting he will be a 'key target' for Arteta in the summer.
What did Arteta say about Isak?
Speaking ahead of the game, Arteta paid tribute to Isak and revealed how Arsenal plans to deal with the inform 25-year-old.
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"Obviously, he is a top player in top form, scoring a lot of goals," Arteta told reporters when asked about Isak, via football.london.
"Trying to minimise the strengths of the opposition is a big part of the plan when playing any opponent."
With Arsenal in the market for a goalscorer, it is clear that Arteta is a massive fan of the former Real Sociedad man, however, Isak's price tag could pose a problem.
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According to The Telegraph, Newcastle will ask for £150m for the Sweden international, which could prove to be too much for the Gunners.
Arsenal injury concerns
Arteta also confirmed some rather damning injury news, as teenager Ethan Nwaneri has been ruled out of the tie, and is likely to miss multiple weeks.
"Unfortunately, he [Nwaneri] has picked up an injury and is going to be out for a few weeks," Arteta said before adding: "Muscular injury."
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"Yeah, he didn't really know," Arteta said. "'I am feeling something, what is it?' He has earned the right to step up and play for us and start some big games and impact those games in the way he has done. Gutted for him."
Nwaneri was on the scoresheet at the weekend, scoring his second goal of the Premier League season.
Topics: Arsenal, Newcastle United, Carabao Cup, Alexander Isak, Mikel Arteta, Eddie Howe, Premier League, Champions League
Tom Jenkins