Eddie Howe responds to Alexander Isak and Arsenal Legend comparison

Eddie Howe, the manager of Newcastle, is optimistic about his own ‘Thierry Henry’ after watching Alexander Isak, a record signing, dominate the Premier League.

After a four-month injury layoff, the Magpies’ record acquisition has been in incredible form, upping his season total to 10 goals while competing with Callum Wilson for the position of line leader.

The mercurial Frenchman, though, was compared to a magnificent assist in Thursday night’s 4-1 victory at Everton, when he scooped up the ball on halfway and went past three players on a mesmerizing move before crossing for Jacob Murphy to tap in at the far post.

Head coach Howe responded when asked if he could see the comparison:
‘Yes, I can, I can see the comparisons there.

‘Everyone is different, there are no two players that are the same, but I do think he has some of the characteristics Thierry had.

‘He’s certainly got the speed and a similar build and frame. The footwork for the assist was truly remarkable, really, and I think he’s got a lot of potential to improve and get better.

‘But it’s been a great start for him here.’

When Newcastle decided to spend so much money to wrest the now 23-year-old away from Real Sociedad in their need for more firepower, eyebrows were raised, but their faith has been amply repaid.

Isak made a sensational debut goal for Liverpool in August, but after just three club games, he suffered a thigh muscle injury while representing Sweden at an international level, which kept him out until January.

He has scored four goals in his previous five games, but despite coming off the bench at Goodison Park as Howe rotated his in-form frontmen, his strong run of form has been crucial to the Magpies’ rise into Champions League contention.

When questioned about whether Isak had performed even better than he had imagined, he responded:
‘I don’t think you ever know with absolute certainty.

‘Anyone who says that would be lying because until you work with a player close-up and you see them every day, I don’t think you ever know what their true capability is.

‘But we’ve been very impressed with everything that he’s delivered to this point, not just technically on the pitch, but his character and how he’s handled certain situations. He’s been first class.’

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