Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has sent a strong message to Mikel Arteta after being linked with a summer move to Arsenal.

Reports emerged on Thursday claiming that Isak has become a target for the Gunners ahead of the summer transfer window. The Independent claims that Isak is the top striker target that Arsenal are looking at to strengthen their squad when the window reopens this summer.

The report came after speculation that Gabriel Jesus could leave the Emirates Stadium this summer. Arsenal have been heavily linked with the possibility of signing a new striker ever since last summer, with the rumours intensifying during the January transfer window despite the club not making any new additions to their squad.

Just days after the rumours linking Isak with a move to Arsenal, the striker sent a message with his performance for Newcastle. Saturday saw the Magpies face Burnley in the Premier League, with Newcastle claiming a 4-1 win at Turf Moor.

Isak was on the scoresheet in the victory in Lancashire, with Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes also finding the back of the net. A loose pass from Sander Berge sent Newcastle racing forward, with Jacob Murphy’s low cross swinging in just behind Isak but the forward adjusted to fire home.

The Swede's strike was his 20th goal in the Premier League this season, becoming the first Newcastle player to reach the feat since Alan Shearer in the 2003/04 campaign. The goal against Burnley means that Isak is now second on the list of the top scorers in the Premier League this season.

He is behind only Erling Haaland of Manchester City who has 21, while Isak has the same as Chelsea's Cole Palmer (20) and is one ahead of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins (19). The January window saw Arsenal linked with several potential new strikers.

Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic, Al-Ittihad's Karim Benzema, Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee and RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko have all been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium over the last few months - but Isak's goalscoring feats in the Premier League are bound to have caught the attention of Arsenal even more, should reports of their interest be true.

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