Eddie Howe has downplayed concerns that Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak will need surgery for his groin injury, despite ongoing transfer speculation linking him to Arsenal. The Swedish forward has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time, and reports suggest the Gunners are eyeing reinforcements up front this summer.
Isak was absent during Newcastle’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday due to the injury. The defeat strengthened Arsenal’s bid for Champions League qualification, putting them five points ahead of Newcastle, Chelsea, and Aston Villa in the race for a top-four finish.
Arsenal are preparing for a crucial summer transfer window as they aim to build on Mikel Arteta’s progress and push harder for the Premier League title. Although they missed out on the trophy again this season, with Liverpool taking the crown and PSG knocking them out of the Champions League, their ambitions remain high.
Alongside Isak, other attacking options like Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres are also being considered, especially as new sporting director Andrea Berta begins shaping the club’s recruitment strategy.
Despite Isak’s absence raising concerns, Howe provided an encouraging update, stating:
“It’s unclear right now,” he said. “He felt okay during training but experienced some stiffness afterward, so we sent him for a precautionary scan this morning. It soon became clear he wouldn’t be fit for the match.
“A lot will depend on how he responds over the next few days. He’s had groin problems on both sides before, and this one seems to be a recurrence from earlier in the season.
“I don’t believe it’s something that requires surgery—it’s more about understanding why he’s experiencing these issues and working on strengthening that area. That will be our focus moving forward.”