Benjamin Sesko appears to have emerged as the striker Arsenal will pursue ahead of Viktor Gyokeres. The Slovenian is now expected to join the Gunners, a year after declining a move in favour of remaining at RB Leipzig for further development.
Arsenal are actively progressing with the transfer and will look to finalise the move in the coming weeks. Despite the availability of Gyokeres, who has been in prolific form over the last two seasons, the club has opted for Sesko. This decision may raise questions among some fans who believe the Swede offers a more immediate impact in front of goal.
Arsenal’s Striker Selection Strategy
The choice reflects a strategic approach focused on long-term potential rather than short-term returns. Sesko is still only 21 and possesses significant upside, with the capacity to evolve into a world-class striker. In contrast, Gyokeres, while more experienced and currently more prolific, is arguably closer to his peak.
Supporters may debate which player would offer more value in the short term, but the club’s commitment to developing a younger talent seems to have tipped the scales in favour of Sesko. This move suggests a long-term vision rather than an urgent attempt to close the gap on domestic rivals.
Fitness and Durability as Key Factors
A crucial consideration in the decision may be Sesko’s strong fitness record. As cited by Football London, although Gyokeres is not considered injury-prone, Sesko has only experienced three injuries in his senior career, all during his time at RB Salzburg. These absences totalled just 61 days. Since joining RB Leipzig, he has remained consistently available and has not missed a single match due to injury.
In a league where player availability can define a season, such durability provides an added layer of appeal. Arsenal are hoping that with proper integration and support, Sesko will thrive and become a consistent goal threat capable of leading the line for years to come.
This decision highlights the club’s focus on building sustainably and intelligently, even if it means passing on more immediately impactful options.
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Sincerely, I don’t know, and I’m skeptical about this move.
Arsenal is not a serious club, it’s very unfortunate that we make same mistakes year in year out, though we know our problem but the handlers will continue to play games until the market will close. The only thing that will make Arsenal win any trophy is to buy a prolific striker and Gykorees is the answer. A serious club would have paid the fees by now and gone past the stage of still negotiating by now. I am sure Arteta knows that this is his last season of gambling with Arsenal. We need a striker that can deliver more than 20goals in a season to be champion
He does look like a great athlete – considering gyokeres doesn’t have any fitness issues either, though, I don’t see why that would be the deciding factor (if things really are as they seem – changes day to day). I think it’s down to stats and playing styles, and maybe age
Well so many Gooners said interest in Watkins was genuine
Surely if they wanted him in January they will would ?
Watkins and a Sesko ?
Won’t happen of course
I think his age is the main factor. He has his best years in front of him.
Isak came to English football at about the same age; now he has developed into a world-class marksman.
I think Sesko would too.
It’s not just that. He brings many positive attributes:
– Brilliant in the air. Something you can’t say about Gyokeres who’s poor in the air. The way he leaps in the air reminds me a bit of Cristiano’s leap. For a team that’s known for set pieces, he’ll be a good addition.
– Has an incredibly powerful shot and can shoot off both feet.
– Has a good dribble in him and doesn’t rely on just power to get past players.
– Can shoot from outside the box which is something we need in.
– Comfortable dropping into midfield so suits how we play.
– Has the pace to run in the channels. He’s quite agile for someone of his height. This will especially be good for Odegaard who will have someone to find with his through balls.
– Big game player. Has a good record against big teams like Bayern.Recently scored a wonder goal against Bayern. We need more big game players.
The weaknesses in his game revolve around his decision making in the box and he can sometimes not be able to hold the ball up. Fortunately, these are things that can easily be coached out of him. If Havertz’s decision making improved from his Chelsea days, so can Sesko’s who has the advantage of being a career centre forward.
Imagine all this height in your team that would be a nightmare to opposition teams considering Jover is around
Sesko
Saliba
Gabriel
Havertz
Rice
Calafiuri
Merino
Just img this team in cup games
Raya
Timber Saliba Gabriel Calafiuri
Hevertz Rice Merino
Nwaneri Sesko Trossard
Subs
Saka, Odegaard Partey, Zubimendi,Martinelli, White ,Skelly, Kiwior , Tomiyasu,Zinchenko and Dowman. Img this players coming in the second half to finish off the matche
I think his aerial ability is very overstated – obviously he’s quite good at winning it due to his height and jump, but he does seem to get bullied by physical defenders (don’t think he won any against Liverpool, for example).
He may have a good record Vs Bayern, but I don’t think that makes him a big game player – I’ve watched his individual highlights against inter, Liverpool and real Madrid, and he largely struggled to get involved, and his first touch looked very suspect to me
He looks too have a good attitude and team ethic, is an incredible athlete and does have a very powerful shot – his shot reminds me of rvp, except much less accurate from what I can tell (rvp is a high bar, but I think we want someone who can approach it). Statistically he apparently does very well in terms of goals per xG which suggests he’s a good finisher. The problem is he doesn’t take very many shots, so that can be misleading (e.g. if he scores from distance a few times, it will inflate that statistic significantly) – it seems that is due to the team he plays in and the role he has in that team, so I think there’s a question there imo.
If he does sign, as now seems likely, I’ll obviously support him and hope he proves me wrong, but I’m not convinced by this move. Ekitike, David or possibly gyokeres would have been better moves imo – but it is hard to tell from where I sit.
He was still very raw when he come against Liverpool and Chelsea i think he was about 20 yrs his first/second season in bundesliga unlike now he is better and angrier for success though not yet complete.
Ah that’s fair – I didn’t know that. I assumed it was more recent
I just watched him Vs villa, which must have been this season, and he looked a bit more imposing, but nothing special to my eyes. He does have a tenancy to jump under the ball and miss it entirely, which is why he gets beaten by shorter defenders write often, I think.
You make good points Davi about Sesko’s weaknesses, but I believe most of them can be rectified easily with coaching. You just need to look at Havertz at Chelsea and at Arsenal to see what Arteta and his team can do with a player. There’s this guy, Carlos Cuesta, I think, part of Arteta’s coaching staff. He’s in charge of player development and is highly regarded at what he does.
And Sesko has better CF instincts than Havertz so it shouldn’t be a problem to improve him. Sesko is also young so can still be molded. If Merino can thrive in this system, I believe most of these centre forwards will do well. That’s why I’m not too worried about whoever we sign, even though Sesko is my preference.