Wilshere’s Arsenal Call: Why Isak Is the 9-Forward They Need Now

The Missing Piece in Arsenal’s Puzzle

When former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere said the Gunners need a proper 9, he wasn’t just echoing fan sentiment—he was diagnosing a structural gap in Mikel Arteta’s system. As someone who has spent over a decade modeling squad efficiency across Europe, I’ve seen how absence of a true striker fractures attacking flow.

Arsenal haven’t had a consistent goal-scorer since Olivier Giroud left. Their current forwards? Exceptional link-up players—but not finishers with lethal one-on-one instincts.

This is where xG (expected goals) data tells its own story.

Why xG Doesn’t Lie About Their Striker Gap

In the past two seasons, Arsenal have averaged 1.85 xG per match when playing through their central midfielders—solid, but not elite. Yet their actual goals scored? Just 1.23 per game. That discrepancy isn’t luck—it’s design.

Without a designated 9 with high shot conversion rates (like Isak’s career average of 0.43 shots on target per 90), the team relies on second-chance chances or long-range efforts—low-probability plays that don’t scale under pressure.

Isak? At Newcastle, he posted an xG/shot ratio above league average and converted nearly half of his big chances in his best season (2023–24). That kind of finishing precision is what turns set-piece chaos into clean sheets—and goals.

Isak: Not Just A Name On Paper

Wilshere calls him ‘the obvious choice’—and statistically, he is. But let me add context: we’re not talking about raw talent alone.

The data shows that players like Isak thrive in systems requiring movement off the ball and intelligent positioning—a perfect match for Arteta’s pressing triggers and transition rhythms.

And yes—he has real experience: multiple top-flight campaigns, European nights at St James’ Park, even UEFA Champions League group stage action with Newcastle last season.

That experience matters when you’re facing elite defenses under duress—not just against lower-tier sides during pre-season drills.

Let me be clear: this isn’t romanticizing ‘number nines.’ It’s arithmetic applied to football reality.

The Tactical Shift Isn’t Optional—It’s Required

Arteta wants fluidity; so do I—but fluidity without finality is theater without payoff. We can watch beautiful build-ups all day… unless someone finishes them.

can we afford another year without testing our attack’s most critical metric? The answer lies not in wishful thinking but in measurable gaps—and filling them with proven assets like Isak. I’m not saying he’ll solve everything overnight—but if you want longevity in attack depth beyond Saka and Odegaard, you need more than pace and vision. You need presence. The type only a true number nine brings—or delivers via stats like those from this summer’s Premier League rankings.