Infamous five: lesser-known alternatives to Gyokeres and Sesko

Finding realistic alternatives to Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko is an unenviable task. However, sporting director Andrea Berta will be acutely aware of the need to do exactly that and extend the target list beyond Ekitike and Watkins.

What follows is a list of lesser-known and much cheaper alternatives, alongside their attributes, strengths and weaknesses. It's important to state at this early stage in the piece that none of the players appearing below are necessarily better options that those already on Arsenal's list.

Scouting and signing any player is a great risk. It's easy to get it completely wrong and pay over-the-odds. Gyokeres, it has been argued, is a risk because he's only scored goals in the Portuguese league, while Sesko detractors point to his inconsistency and high wage demands.

Tolu Arokodare - Genk - Nigeria - Age: 24

Allegedly wanted by Manchester United and Fulham, Genk's 6'4'' talismanic striker is a real handful. Arokodare’s powerful displays in Belgium have made him one of Europe’s most sought-after young strikers. The 24-year-old is an obvious alternative to Gyokeres and would be a potent threat should Arteta choose to mix things up and play more directly next season.

The Nigerian could cost somewhere in the region of £15 million, a fraction of what Arsenal are prepared to outlay on Gyokeres. 'Tolu' as he is commonly known, has scored 21 times in 40 appearances in the Belgian Pro League.

Shuto Machino - Holstein Kiel - Japan - Age: 25

Holsten Kiel's Shuto Machino is a Japanese international striker who has been plying his trade in the Bundesliga with Holstein Kiel.

After being relegated to the second tier at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Machino appears to be available and he is currently being courted by Borussia Monchengladbach, Brentford and Wolverhampton, according to sources. He could be available for less than £10 million.

Machino scored 11 times in 32 Bundesliga appearances, adding two assists. Those stats sketch an incomplete picture though. When Machino played as a centre-forward last season, his goal ratio soared to 7 in 15. Both of his assists came when he was playing as a centre-forward.

Arnaud Kalimuendo - Rennes - French - Age: 23

Tacitly linked with Spurs, Arnaud Kalimuendo has been a goal scoring machine in Ligue 1. His 17 goals, last season, came from just 31 appearances.

Kalimuendo is an excellent finisher and this is something Arsenal are desperate for right now. He wins plenty of fouls and brings others into play superbly well. Estimated conservatively at £19 million, Kalimuendo offers great value.

Damion Downs - FC Koln - USA - Age: 20

Currently on Southampton's radar, FC Koln's US striker has amassed 10 goals in 21 appearances in Bundesliga Two.

According to his stats on whoscored.com, Downs has no obvious strengths. However, he is tall, strong and scores goals. At just 20-years-old there is plenty of time to develop the player and he could be a solid squad player.

Ricardo Pepi - PSV Eindhoven - USA - Age: 22

Ricardo Pepi is scoring goals for fun in the Eredivisie. The former MLS Young Player of the Year has bagged 11 goals in just 18 appearances (12 as substitute). On average, he has scored a goal approximately every 62 minutes in the top division in the Netherlands!

An out-and-out centre forward, Pepi's key strengths are his finishing and holding up the ball.

Needless to say, PSV are completely satisfied with Pepi's contribution and he is not currently available for sale.