Should Arsenal sign Viktor Gyokeres or Alexander Isak? Mikel Arteta transfer call decided

Arsenal could dip back into the market to sign a new centre forward next summer. The Gunners wanted to bolster their forward line during the recent transfer window but decided against signing another No.9 despite Eddie Nketiah's move to Crystal Palace.

Kai Havertz has been Arsenal's first-choice striker for most of the season so far, with the German scoring seven goals in 17 appearances across all competitions. Gabriel Jesus has acted as second fiddle, but the former Manchester City man has struggled during his time on the pitch, netting once in 15 matches.

This has increased speculation that Arsenal might be temped to look again for a new striker. Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres - who were both linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer - have emerged as two potential candidates after impressing for Newcastle and Sporting CP.

Isak was tipped to make the switch to north London after scoring 25 times in 40 appearances across all competitions last season. He has not quite had the most prolific start to this campaign he would have been hoping for, netting five in 11 but has struck in each of his last four matches.

As for Gyokeres, the 26-year-old has been in fine fettle for Sporting, scoring 23 goals in 17 matches this season. The Swede is expected to depart the Portuguese club at the end of the season and Arsenal could be his destination, despite rumours circulating over a move to Manchester United.

With this in mind, who should Arsenal sign: Isak or Gyokeres? Here, our football.london writers take a look at which forward the Gunners need to target next summer...

Kieran King

For me, Alexander Isak should be Arsenal's priority transfer target. Firstly, he is one year younger than Gyokeres and has two years' worth of Premier League experience. Although there is nothing to suggest that Gyokeres won't set the division on fire should he join Arsenal, but I do feel like it's a safer bet with Isak considering the amount of money the Gunners are going to have to fork out to sign either of them.

Isak scored 21 times in the top flight last season. Only Erling Haaland (27) and Cole Palmer (22) found the net more, and although Isak hasn't quite been at that same level this season, I back him to turn it around. I feel like Arsenal are missing someone of his ability right now - a willing runner who is a predator inside the area and can snuff out a chance out of nothing. I feel like it would be an incredible signing if they can get it done.

Kieran Horn

Mikel Arteta is facing a huge decision over which striker to bring to Arsenal in one of the upcoming transfer windows. RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Victor Osimhen, on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, remain options but it looks set to be a straight shoot-out between Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak.

The Newcastle striker has been linked to Arsenal dating back to his Real Sociedad days with talk of a move for Gyokeres only arriving after his Sporting CP switch. In terms of the better profile for the Gunners, Isak is arguably the better penalty box striker which is exactly what Mikel Arteta desires.

The fact he has also proven himself in the Premier League over the past few seasons is a major plus and the recent revelation about his future at St James' Park furthers the likelihood of an exit next summer. Though Gyokeres will likely be cheaper, Isak the marquee attacking signing Arsenal should be looking to make.

Jack Flintham

Both Isak and Gyokeres offer Arsenal a type of centre-forward they have been craving and would both be brilliant additions to the team. Both have their positives but I believe that the Gunners should go with the safer option - that being Isak.

Gyokeres' goalscoring record is phenomenal in Portugal, second to none in fact. However, there is a big question mark as to whether he could replicate that form in the Premier League.

I don't think it would be impossible to do but if both players were available for similar money, the logical signing would be the Newcastle United man. He has proven to be a consistent goalscorer in the Premier League since moving from Real Sociedad and offers the pace and strength which Gyokeres possesses.

The challenge will be to lure him away from Eddie Howe but if Arsenal can show themselves to be a trophy contender it may just be enough to turn the striker's head.

Matty Hewitt

Arsenal should be breaking the bank to sign Alexander Isak. We've all witnessed the impact Erling Haaland had at Manchester City when he first arrived at the Etihad and I'd back the Swedish striker to have a similar impact at the Emirates.

Comparisons with Thierry Henry make the links to the Gunners that little bit sweeter. A proven goal scorer in the Premier League and therefore, needs no time to adapt to the rigours of the English top flight.

Which can't be said for Viktor Gyokeres. That's not to take anything away from the Sporting forward - who has shown he can find the back of the net - but he's yet to play in the Premier League and would need time to adapt.

There may come a time, when in hindsight, people will ask why nobody took a chance on Gyokeres, but Isak is a world class finisher who can lift Arsenal's forward line to another level. If Newcastle fail to qualify for Europe this season, Arsenal will find themselves in a much stronger position for any future transfer talks.

Amie Wilson

This is a difficult one for me as both players ultimately provide what Arsenal and Mikel Arteta needs. I am probably leaning towards Isak, simply due to the level he is currently playing at.

Take nothing away from the Portuguese league, but it’s not the same level as the Premier League, and there will be a slight risk of Gyokeres needing an adaptation period. He did however show that he can cope against the best teams with hat trick against Man City in the Champions League just days ago. He also has experience of playing in the Championship with Coventry City.

I just feel that the fact that Isak has been there and done it already in the Premier League makes him a less risky signing. It could come down to price.

There are some reports that Sporting will be willing to accept a price of around £60 million for Gyokeres. It’s not likely that Newcastle are going to go below £100 million, especially in January.

The difference in asking price, means that pound for pound Gyokeres would possibly be the better value signing. It’s ultimately down to if Arsenal are willing to pay the extra for a Premier League proven striker.

Isaac Johnson

This is a no-brainer for me - one has proven himself in the Premier League and one hasn’t yet. Both will likely end up costing similar amounts but even if Isak is slightly more expensive, it is a price worth paying given his track record already established in England's top-flight.

Gyokeres would carry a heavy element of risk. Darwin Nunez ripped up the Portuguese league the season before his move to Liverpool, where he has since struggled to fully acclimatise. The Swede does have experience in the Championship but, of course, the Premier League is a different level.

Meanwhile, Isak has netted in more than half of his Premier League outings - 35 goals in 61 games. Arsenal are now beyond the realms of having to take punts on signings and going for Gyokeres would risk the club taking a step backwards, while Isak would undoubtedly take the Gunners forward.

Isaac Seelochan

Isak would be the dream signing with the Newcastle striker having Premier League experience and aged 24, he is only likely to get better. The Swedish forward is unlikely to get anywhere near the numbers Erling Haaland gets for City but that may not matter if the Gunners can rediscover their defensive solidity.

Gyokeres would be an excellent alternative but his experience is outside of the Premier League. It's likely that he would be a success in the top flight, but it feels less of a guarantee than Isak.

It feels like Arsenal are being patient for Isak having not signed a striker in the summer. Abandoning that plan at this stage wouldn't make sense.