Indeed, over the last few seasons, he's not too far behind some of the best on the continent and interestingly, he's ahead of Isak, a player Arsenal supporters have been crying out for the Gunners to sign.Europe's top forwards since 2021/22
Rank
Games
Goals
Assists
Goals per 90
1. Erling Haaland
111
101
22
1.00
2. Harry Kane
123
99
27
0.83
3. Robert Lewandowski
122
93
20
0.83
4. Viktor Gyokeres
142
89
27
0.66
5. Victor Osimhen
98
66
13
0.79
6. Alexander Isak
106
53
10
0.62
Stats via FBRef.
So, if we're judging things on goals alone, then Haaland is unsurprisingly the best forward in Europe.
However, place Osimhen in the Premier League and you'd have a player very capable of rivalling him for the best in England's top-flight.
While he's not played as much football as some of his competitors across the globe, his goals per 90 minutes are incredibly close to Robert Lewandowski and an Arsenal nemesis in the form of Harry Kane. That's not bad reading at all, is it?
It won't be a shock to hear that he's also ahead of fellow Arsenal target, Sesko. Here's how the two compare over the last 18 months or so of football.
Osimhen vs Sesko - 2023/24 & 2024/25
Stat (per 90 mins)
Osimhen
Sesko
Goals
0.78
0.73
Assists
0.21
0.13
Shots
4.41
2.58
Shot on target %
41%
54%
Pass success %
67%
67%
Key passes
1.05
0.63
Progressive passes
1.05
1.56
Shot-creating actions
2.45
1.92
Successful take-ons
0.73
1.16
Progressive carries
1.55
1.56
Aerials won
1.68
2.45
Stats via FBRef.
Looking at the data above, Sesko would appear to be the more all-round talent at this stage, producing more take-ons, winning more aerial battles and having a higher shot-on-target percentage.
That being said, when it comes to the two factors you'd traditionally judge a striker on, goals and assists, it's Osimhen who is out in front. Combine that with the things you don't see here too (physical strength) and you'd likely expect the Galatasaray loanee to trump Sesko.
Benjamin-Sesko-Leipzig
Vitally, he's also got experience on his side and has played a regular part in the Champions League over the last few seasons.
While the Leipzig talent's potential is immense, Arsenal need to win the title now and signing Osimhen - their rival to Haaland - over Sesko could just be the catalyst for that.
Arsenal-Rice-Aston-Villa-Onana
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