Alexander Isak is top of Arsenal's shortlist when it comes to signing a new striker but the Newcastle hitman won't be joining Mikel Arteta's side in the January transfer window

Arsenal’s hopes of signing Alexander Isak have been dealt a blow despite Newcastle seemingly needing to offload players this month. Isak enhanced his already growing reputation this week by scoring at the Emirates on Tuesday, as the Magpies secured a 2-0 first leg lead in their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Isak was linked with a move to Arsenal last summer with Newcastle scrambling to pass the Premier League's PSR rules, but would manage to keep hold of their talismanic frontman. He's shown once again this season why he's among the world's best strikers, with 15 goals in all competitions and 13 of those coming in the Premier League.

Tuesday night could easily be chalked off as a freak result given the chances that Arsenal squandered and they ended the game with an xG of 3.12. According to Opta, that is the highest figure by a Premier League team in any game this season that they failed to score in.