A WEMBLEY CUP triumph will be nice – but it’s Champions League football that Newcastle need to hang on to Alexander Isak long-term.
The Swedish superstar showed long-term suitors Arsenal once again exactly what he can do as he helped fire the Magpies to a second Carabao Cup final in three seasons.
RexEddie Howe is desperate to bring the first trophy to Tyneside in 70 years[/caption]
GettyBut the Toon manager will be more eager to hang onto Alexsander Isak[/caption]
Isak, 25, tormented Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba from the first whistle on what proved to be a famous night at St James’ Park.
Although he failed to add to his 19 goal haul this term, the forward was at his majestic best as the Magpies won 2-0 to seal a 4-0 aggregate victory over the Gunners.
That booked them another date under the arch and provided Isak with an opportunity to achieve legendary status on Tyneside in the final next month.
It’s been 70 years since the club last won a major cup, and if he can score the winner at Wembley, don’t bet against a statue of him being resurrected outside SJP.
Medals and glory are what every kid dreamed of growing up – but it is regular Champions League football that elite players now need.
Isak, of course, has had a taste of that already on Tyneside but the club know they need to return there to stave off interest from the likes of Arsenal and Europe’s top dogs.
It’s where the big boys play and the big bucks are paid out.
Understandably, fans are starting to get ultra defensive whenever the prospect of his potential departure is brought up.
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Especially when Arsenal’s name gets thrown into the conversation.
Isak has been continually linked with a move to their Premier League rivals despite being under contract until 2028, a date that leaves Newcastle chiefs quite relaxed about his situation.
Sun Sport understands that Isak still remains one of Mikel Arteta’s top targets, and that they will try to go all out to try and get him… even if it costs them the reported £150m price tag.
He is already one of the top earners at Newcastle on £130,000-a-week as well.
Isak, a club-record £63m buy from Real Sociedad in 2022, has earned every penny of those wages with his performances on the pitch.
Last season he became the first Toon star since Alan Shearer two decades ago to hit 20 Premier League goals.
Even finally ending that long trophy-drought may not quite be enough for Isak.
And after a slow start to this season he has rediscovered his top form with his recent eight-game scoring run in the Prem.
Although tentative talks over an improved deal may have stalled, they are set to resume in the summer, but it is unlikely to just be the money on offer that proves crucial.
And even finally ending that long trophy-drought may not quite be enough for Isak.
During a recent interview with Toon’s all-time top marksman Shearer he did little to dampen talk of a potential big-money transfer.
When Super Al brought up Erling Haaland’s recent new nine-year deal and asked what was next for Isak, the Magpies ace vaguely replied: “We’ll see. You never know.”
ReutersIsak has scored 17 goals and counting this season[/caption]
ReutersIsak still remains one of Mikel Arteta’s top targets[/caption]
But if Newcastle can build on their cup run and secure a top four finish then that could be pivotal… if not then the speculation won’t go away.
And it’s fair to say that his manager Eddie Howe would not be the only one devastated to see Isak leave – even if it was for mega money.
The Toon Army have always loved No9s, from Jackie Milburn and Malcolm Macdonald to the likes of Andy Cole and Shearer in more recent times.
However, Isak is a little different, producing magic with 14 on his back, and he is in no rush to follow in the footsteps of those greats named above.
Every top star now wants to play their best on the biggest stage – the Champions League.
He said: “Many great players have had the No14. You had [David] Ginola from Newcastle and when I signed, out of the numbers that were available, I think that No14 was the most iconic.
“I’m doing well, I’m happy with 14. But, on the other hand, I know the number nine is a special shirt for the fans.”
It was not even out-and-out strikers that Isak grew up idolising either.
Spain’s LaLiga was the most-covered football during his childhood years, and that meant it was Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo that he tried to emulate.
And even now, despite his ruthlessness in front of goal, he has a lot more to his game than just sticking the ball in the onion bag.
ReutersIsak told Alan Shearer that he and his team-mates want to be back in the Champions League next season[/caption]
He explained: “I was more into dribbling, skills… I liked the street football style.
“That’s the player I want to be and enjoy my football out there. That’s when I think that I play my best.”
And every top star now wants to play their best on the biggest stage – the Champions League.
Isak even admitted as much himself at the end of 2024, saying: “The whole team are very ambitious. We played Champions League last year and it is in our mind to get back there.
“It is a long way to go until the end of the season so I don’t think we should be looking too much at the table.
“The ambition of the team is of course to get in Europe again. We just need to take one game at a time.”
ARSENAL PLAYER RATINGS: Saliba will be having nightmares about Isak as Lewis-Skelly is only Gunners star to show up
ARSENAL were humbled by Newcastle at St James’ Park as the Magpies beat them 2-0 to secure a spot in the League Cup final.
The North Londoners knew they needed to take an early advantage if they were to overturn the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates.
But Jacob Murphy was on hand to put the Magpies a goal ahead after Alexander Isak‘s shot rebounded off of the post and out to him.
Shortly after the break, Anthony Gordon doubled the lead to all but confirm a second League Cup final in three years for Eddie Howe.
Here’s how SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse rated the Gunners.
David Raya – 5
Stitched Declan Rice right up for the second goal.
And that absolutely killed this as a contest for his side.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Tried to get forward and support the attack early but soon found himself dropping deeper to avoid being caught on the counter.
Tough night for the Dutchman up against Gordon in front of the red-hot home crowd.
William Saliba – 4
Let frustration get the better of him when he got himself booked for grabbing Anthony Gordon’s shirt.
And the winger almost embarrassed him again at the start of the second period when he caught the defender sleeping, nicked the ball from him, but could only shoot wide.
The usually assured star will be having nightmares of Gordon and Isak.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 6
Another who struggled to contain Toon’s two pacey attacking threats but did fair slightly better than his usually formidable partner.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7
Another assured performance from the full-back in a raucous atmosphere.
Could not be faulted for any of the goals and showed flashes off his potential despite the humbling.
Martin Odegaard – 6
Everything Arsenal did try came through the skipper.
Although he loses a mark as things could have been a very different story if he had finished his first half effort had hit the inside rather than outside of the post.
Thomas Partey – 6
Plenty of running about but very little to show or product for his efforts.
Declan Rice – 6
Looked to take a knock late in the first half and continued to struggle on after the restart.
Was hung out to dry by his goalie for the second goal and he did keep pushing until the very end.
But it was a disappointing night for the England star and his partner Partey as they came up short against Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
Gabriel Martinelli – 5
Struggled to get past big Dan Burn during his brief time on the pitch.
And his night was brought to an abrupt end when he limped off before the break.
Kai Havertz – 4
Outmuscled, outbattled and outthought but Svan Botman and Fabian Schar.
Produced zilch on an evening when he and his team-mates lacked creativity and ideas.
Leandro Trossard – 5
Many will have been fancying him to cause some problems for the 34-year-old Kieran Trippier but the veteran had him in his pocket all night.
Arteta had seen enough by the hour mark and opted to let Raheem Sterling have a go instead.
Subs used
Ethan Nwaneri (37 mins for Martinelli) – 6
Desperately tried to inject some pace and threat into the faltering Arsenal attack but the task proved too much for the young Gunn.
He should have plenty more big occasions to look forward to though in his career.
Mikel Merino (70 mins for Odegaard) – 5
The game was already done and dusted when he entered the fray for battle.
Some nice touches, but like those before him, he couldn’t produce anything for the visitors.
Raheem Sterling (61 mins for Trossard) – 4
Got half an hour to try and get at Trippier but, just like Trossard before him, he was not given an ounce of joy.
Riccardo Calafiori (78 mins for Timber) – 4
Was brought on simply to get some minutes in his legs.
Jorginho (78 mins for Partey) – 4
See above. Little chance to make an impact with the game well and truly over.
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