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Analysis
- 7 hours ago
What Arsenal fans can expect from Benjamin Sesko
Tom Weber
- Updated: 31 May 2025 14:47 BST
- 5 min read
Analysis
Arsenal are pushing to secure the signing of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
The 22-year-old appears to have re-emerged as the Gunners' top target for the No.9 position on the express wish of manager Mikel Arteta. New sporting director Andrea Berta had initially wanted to bring in Viktor Gyokeres, but the Spaniard favours a move for Sesko.
Gyokeres remains in the frame for a move to Arsenal, and talks with Sporting CP have been ongoing for some time, but there is an acceptance that the North London club won't sign both.
Compared
Benjamin Šeško
F (C)
RB Leipzig
Benjamin Šeško
F (C)
RB Leipzig
VS
Viktor Gyökeres
F (C)
Sporting CP
Viktor Gyökeres
F (C)
Sporting CP
|
|
ETV |
|
| €60.2M - €73.6M | ETV Range | €67.5M - €82.5M |
| 22 years old (31 May, 2003) | Age | 26 years old (04 Jun, 1998) |
|
Slovenia
|
Nationality |
Sweden
|
Berta's predecessor Edu Gaspar laid a lot of the groundwork for a potential move for Sesko in 2024 as Arsenal had heavily courted the Slovenia international that summer before he ultimately decided to spend another season in Germany.
The Gunners have now reportedly agreed personal terms with the Leipzig forward, while talks between the clubs are taking place to find a way around his €80 million release clause.
What can Arsenal expect from Sesko?
On the face of it, it is surprising that Arsenal would favour a move for Sesko over Gyokeres. To be sure, the young striker has been putting up impressive numbers, but they are nothing compared to what his Swedish counterpart has been doing in Portugal.
Perhaps that is the crux, however. Arsenal likely feel that the level of the Bundesliga is higher than that of Portugal's top flight, while Sesko's ceiling is also undoubtedly higher than Gyokeres'.
Resale value likely factors into Arsenal's thinking as well, as it does for most elite clubs now in the age of Profitability and Sustainability Rules. Gyokeres is almost five years Sesko's senior and is already at his peak.
But that is not all. Sesko is also simply more suited to Arteta's style. Gyokeres would undoubtedly get goals - lots of them - up front for Arsenal, but he is not as obvious a fit for this team as the Slovenian youngster.
The thing about Sesko is that despite standing at a whopping 6ft 5in, he is exceptionally proficient with the ball at his feet. Sesko is a physical specimen like Gyokeres, but with the touch of a technician.
In a way, Sesko is more of an Alexander Isak rather than a Gyokeres, so it is no surprise that Arteta favours a move for him. It is no secret that Arteta adores Isak and would love to sign him if he were attainable this summer.
Sesko is not as comfortable dribbling past players as Isak, but he boasts the same level of technical ability and speed as the Newcastle sharpshooter.
STATS
Benjamin Šeško
F (C)
RB Leipzig
Benjamin Šeško
F (C)
RB Leipzig
Like Isak, though, Sesko's finishing isn't always quite as consistent as Gyokeres'. Indeed, Sesko isn't the most polished product yet, but he has the potential to be one of Europe's most well-rounded strikers.
Sesko still has games where he struggles to exert his influence. He is coming off a hit-and-miss season. His numbers - 21 goals in 45 games - are solid, but he had spells where he struggled to play at his best level week in, week out.
The environment at Arsenal won't be as forgiving as Leipzig's, but in saying that, it is worth remembering that Sesko will be surrounded by better players at the Emirates, which will help him paper over some of the weaknesses he still has and which will, hopefully, be ironed out the more top-level experience he amasses.
From Arsenal's point of view, moving for Sesko is the sensible thing to do, even if some fans would perhaps have preferred Gyokeres due to the sheer volume of goals - 97 in 102 games - he has scored at Sporting.
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