Wright reveals Wenger would sign Isak to bolster Arsenal attack
Arsenal icon Ian Wright attended the Seam Says podcast, brought to you by Betway, where the former England striker discussed the Gunners' season as well as revealing a curious anecdote about a charity dinner he had with legendary manager Arsene Wenger.
Second place as part of the process
Iconic Gunners goalkeeper David Seaman asked the 61-year-old former striker what he thought of Mikel Arteta's side's season, which despite making a great run to the Champions League semi-finals and finishing second in the Premier League, once again fell just short of silverware.
Wright explained that finishing second for several seasons is something that can be painful for Arsenal fans, but he definitely believes it is part of the process until the Emirates Stadium outfit return to lifting the Premier League trophy.
"I just think we are so close and second place is part of the journey as a fan, as frustrating as it is. Hopefully, when you do finally get over the line, you look back at this and it does not matter so much," he told David Seaman.
In addition, Wright also bet that Arsenal will be last season's Premier League champions, although they will have to face a tough nut to crack in the form of Liverpool, the reigning domestic champions under Arne Slot.
"I think they [Arsenal] will win the Premier League next season because I want them to do that and I believe that they're getting closer. I think it's unlucky this season, simply the injuries and some of the decisions. But they're going to need to make some signings to give them all a boost in there. But I'm going to go with Arsenal to win the League again. Absolutely," he added.
Prolific striker as main objective for summer transfer window
One of the big problems the Gunners have had this season is that they have been lacking in front of goal, either because of the injury to Gabriel Jesus or the lack of an in-form No. 9, which has cost them a few draws or defeats, something Ian Wright also commented on along with former goalkeeper Seaman.
"I think that mentality-wise, [the squad] is very strong and it's going to be vital who he adds to that group. Apparently Zubimendi's there, they’re talking about Gyokeres. Whether it's Sesko, I don't know who it's going to be, but I believe that we need a main striker, another forward, I’ll probably have a backup centre-half. I would have loved us to buy Huijsen off of Bournemouth, but he's gone to Real Madrid. They saw it, and they just come in and go 'bang'," he said.
In fact, the former Arsenal striker told the Seaman Says podcast that at a charity dinner with Arsene Wenger, the iconic manager told him that if he could sign a striker this summer to bolster Arteta's front line it would be Newcastle's Aleksander Isak.
"I had a dinner with Arsene Wenger, a charity dinner, about three weeks ago, and I asked him that question. I said, 'You're the boss, who would you sign this summer?'" commented Seaman. "'Isak,' he said, as quick as that."
However, it does not look like Wenger's wishes are going to come true as the chances of the Magpies letting the Swedish striker leave are pretty low, although the Gunners' board are apparently working on landing Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko.
It has been reported in England that signing the former Real Sociedad striker is an express request from Mikel Arteta, but they will not have it easy as he is under contract with the reigning Carabao Cup champions until 2029, and an 80 million euro termination clause that the Gunners are unlikely to be able to afford.