As a Gooner, what do you make of Benjamin Šeško’s pending move to Manchester United? After tracking the young Slovenian striker for over a year with hopes of landing him, it is hard not to feel disappointed. A move to Arsenal failed to materialise, and the reasons behind it are frustrating.
Frustrating Arsenal-Leipzig negotiations
Arsenal found RB Leipzig difficult to deal with. The German club were not exactly forthcoming in talks, but that was not the biggest frustration. The real issue was the perceived lack of effort from Šeško and his agent.
The Gunners felt they did nothing to show they genuinely wanted the move. That lack of enthusiasm, crucial in helping push negotiations forward, ultimately led Arsenal to drop out of the race. Instead, they turned to Viktor Gyökeres, a striker who made it clear he would do whatever it took to join.
Šeško sacrifices for United move
Ironically, just weeks after Arsenal pulled the plug on the Šeško pursuit, the 22-year-old did exactly what they had hoped he would do for them, but for Manchester United. To ease his move to Arsenal, Gyökeres reportedly gave up €2 million from his salary package. That sacrifice helped Sporting CP accept a £63.5 million fee, rather than the higher figures they initially demanded. His agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, also waived his £5.2 million commission to get that deal over the line.
Šeško, who many doubted would make similar sacrifices, now appears to have done just that to seal his switch to Old Trafford. According to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Šeško has agreed to take a financial hit, mirroring Gyökeres’ gesture, to help United’s offer go through. Even Elvis Basanovic, the agent some Gooners felt was being stubborn, has reportedly given up a significant portion of his commission to ensure Leipzig accepted United’s bid, despite Newcastle offering more.
From these revelations, it is hard not to feel played. If Šeško truly wanted Arsenal, he would have made those sacrifices from the start, just as he has now done for United. At the Emirates, the feeling was clear: signing Šeško meant gambling on what he could become. Gyökeres, by contrast, is a striker for the present. Arteta needed a win-now forward, and he got one.
Come 17th August, it is Gyökeres vs Šeško in what is shaping up to be a fascinating early-season Manchester United vs Arsenal clash. For Gooners, the hope is simple: that Gyökeres steals the spotlight and shows why Arsenal made the right call.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Daniel O
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We all hope Gyokeres will “steal the spotlight” against Utd/Sesko, I’m sure.
However, win, lose or draw against Utd it won’t mean Arsenal made the right – or wrong – decision about Gyokeres. One game won’t decide that, fortunately.
He wasn’t brought in so Arsenal could defeat Utd specifically, but to help Arsenal win the title. We’ll only know after 38 games.
I’ll be more concerned with how easy or difficult we make it for Sesko to receive the ball from Cunha, Mbeumo, and Fernandez among others.
And just wow, that’s a forward line!
Man United are a rather interesting team that are probably being underrated. If their forward line clicks they could be a really dangerous side.
David, how many goals are ManU going to concede?
Firstly actual 5 defenders Amorim plays every game, how does defensive squad look – maybe high ceilings on some of the novices, but still novices making mistakes to me.
Secondly, how much protection does Amorims system give a defence. whilst Premiership plays within tramlines down the middle – like chess, controlling the middle till opponent pops – Amorims system takes pieces out the middle to put them wide as wing backs – game after game we watched Amorims system pop their middle before the opponents pressure could! These WB specialists need to be good at their job, adding attacking width and then back into defensive shape. By the time they are back in defensive shape, the opponents have too easily played right through the flipping middle of ManU’s set up.
They will concede for fun. They could be relegated.
Arteta wanted Sesko and Berta wanted Gyökeres….apparently.
I wanted Sesko (but will obviously support Gyökeres) only because he’s younger, 6’-5”, with a higher ceiling and scored his goals in a harder league with not as many pens. Of course he will get a goal against us but Gyökeres will get two, channeling the best ever England song…. Vindaloo 😊.
Sesko did not sacrifice anything.😏😏
He saw that the Train had moved on after Arsenal signed Gyokeres and no other Big European club were after him.
Desperado Man utd came calling and he saw his last chance.🤨
Absolutely spot on mate👍👍
true that he was running out of options that is why he settled for a team that is out of champions league or even europa league and no team better which was going after him.
I agree with vinny baba – if anything it’s us who played Sesko, and Sesko and Utd jumped on the jilted love train together.
Do we know if Sesko was allowed his controversial escape clause?
Actually, the expensive and shambolic way Utd have been hiring and firing in recent years, they probably happy now to put break clauses in all their contracts!
Maybe Sesko was not confident with Mikel and his football philosophy of side/back passes, high line and slow build up play. Aug15 will answer some questions, May 24,2026 will answer all. Let us see who remains in his job Amorin or Arteta. Goodluck to both.
Why would you wish good luck to Amorim? Seems odd to me
Do you enjoy people being sacked?I don’t.
We have the 3rd best manager in world football who can turn things around, don’t you believe in him?
TSRS,
Something tells me your being sarcastic again.😂
You use this platform to mostly promote your sarcasm and views about Arteta which are predominantly unfavourable. Bully for you
I don’t really care two bob what happens to Amorim. I want Arsenal to be more successful than any other club – with or without Arteta. Bully for me
I thought Arsenal was going to get the both strikers, because if Gyokores gets injured,then, they are back to square one. Arsenal needs two quality players in each position.
“We have Havertz. He was in good form before his injury last season, and his cameo yesterday highlighted the depth we have in the squad.”