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Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta shares candid view on how Newcastle look without Alexander Isak

Originally posted on HITC | By Jonathan Gorrie | Last updated Sep 29, 2025 9:41 AM ET

Mikel Arteta believes that Newcastle’s team have not undergone a complete transformation, despite the recent departure of Alexander Isak.

Isak left St. James’ Park for Liverpool in a record-breaking move that stirred plenty of controversy, leaving Newcastle without one of their key players.

The Swede’s move to Anfield came with a lot of baggage, and while some fans were relieved to see the saga end, Eddie Howe was left without one of the game’s top forwards.

Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade are now tasked with stepping into those shoes, but filling that void is always easier said than done.

Newcastle have struggled in front of goal this season, scoring just three times so far. Only Aston Villa have managed fewer heading into this weekend’s matches.

Still, Arteta does not view Newcastle as a completely different side despite the changes.

Mikel Arteta does not see major differences at Newcastle since Alexander Isak’s move

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The Gunners boss gave his thoughts ahead of Sunday’s clash between the two sides.

Asked if Eddie Howe’s side now look like a completely different team without Isak leading the line, Arteta did not sound convinced.

“No, because he wasn’t playing against Barcelona and what could have been in the first 30 or 40 minutes could be very different to the result.

“I always praise the work that Eddie and the coaching staff have done there and the way they have managed to create such an atmosphere, especially at home, and a very clear identity of playing football. They make it really difficult.

“We know the test, we know that we’re going to have to be much more efficient than we’ve been lately when we played up there to win the game, and we’re going to work on that in the next two days.”

Comparing Newcastle’s attack with and without Alexander Isak

While there is no question about Isak’s ability, his start to the 2024/25 season was not exactly spectacular. He managed just one goal in his first six Premier League matches.

This season, Newcastle have found the net eight times in their first seven games across all competitions.

For comparison, last season they had seven goals from their opening five Premier League fixtures, plus another in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

There has been a slight dip, but it is not as drastic as some might have expected.

The absence of Isak has certainly left a hole in the squad, but there is no immediate sense of panic within the club.

Whether that remains true as the season progresses is something we will find out soon enough.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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