Why Benjamin Sesko is the right target for Arsenal

Benjamin Sesko has been a long-term transfer target for Arsenal, and a report on Thursday revealed they are in talks to sign him. Reliable sources have since cooled these rumours but that shouldn't change the Gunners' ambitions.

Football news aggregator Sam C reported that the Gunners are in talks with RB Leipzig over a move for the Slovenian with a loan with an option to buy discussed. He claimed Mikel Arteta had spoken with Sesko on more than one occasion.

Of course, we all took this news very well but David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano have since swooped in to break our hearts.

It looks unlikely the Gunners will complete the signing of Sesko this month, but he should remain their top target. Whether a move materialises during this transfer window or in the summer, Benjamin Sesko is very much the right target for Arsenal.

Why Benjamin Sesko is the right target for Arsenal

With Arsenal in desperate need of a striker, they may have to look beyond Sesko in order to get a deal done this month. However, they must keep him in mind and consider a move in the summer.

Sesko was the Gunners' number-one striker target before Euro 2024 and they turned their attention away from signing a goalscorer after the 21-year-old penned a new deal in Leipzig. That says enough about how highly Arsenal rate the Slovenian.

While high-profile names like Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres are supposedly of interest, the potential of signing Sesko stands above them. It's clear that Mikel Arteta is an admirer, and the manager's influence in recruitment suggests Arsenal's interest in the forward won't fade.

Arsenal have had to settle for backup transfer targets on multiple occasions throughout Arteta's tenure. Two winters ago, Leandro Trossard joined instead of Mykhailo Mudryk, while Jorginho arrived as a Moises Caicedo alternative. While some second-choice moves have worked out, the club must go out and get their priority targets given where we're at in Arteta's project. It's time to win things.

It's easy to see why Sesko is held in such high regard by the Gunners. His finishing ability is clear, having scored 13 goals in 25 appearances so far this season, outperforming an xG of 7.1. That's what ferocious ball-striking does! Arsenal are in dire need of a deadly goalscorer and Sesko is the answer.

He would also fit well into Arsenal's setup. His towering 6'5 stature allows him to physically compete with any defender, and he has the capacity to hold the ball up and bring others into play. There's more for him to learn and refine in this regard, but his added ability of demonic channel-running renders him a trickier striker to defend than say, Kai Havertz.

Sesko's heatmap in the current Bundesliga campaign also shows that he likes to move across the frontline, as well as withdrawing between the lines. While he would be a deadly goalscorer for the Gunners, his versatility would also allow him to make himself an option in various areas of the pitch.

Sesko will likely be available in the summer with several reports claiming a gentlemen's agreement was put in place when he signed his new deal last year. As a result, Arsenal should be able to afford a move if they can't break the bank for him this month.

Benjamin Sesko is the right target for the Gunners for a number of reasons. He has been their priority striker option since last summer and with that still being the case, they should be going all out for him to avoid signing a second-choice option. His immense ability is clear and his physicality will make him a good fit in this Arsenal side. Sesko's agreement to explore a transfer this summer will work in the club's favour. While he wouldn't come cheap, it would mean they are able to target a man who is available rather than splashing a ridiculous amount on a player like Alexander Isak.

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