In the Premier League, the Gunners have scored fewer goals than Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, and in the Champions League, ten sides scored more goals than them in the league phase.
Mikel Arteta's side are an incredibly difficult team to play against, thanks to their league-leading defence, but unless they can find a way to put the ball in the back of the net more often, next season could be another year of almost getting over the line.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after the match
Fortunately, reports have suggested that the board and new Sporting Director Andrea Berta are looking to solve this problem and have identified the player to do so.
Arsenal's striker search
Arsenal have needed another striker for what feels like years now, and while they failed to address this need across the last two transfer windows, they appear intent on not making the same mistake again in the summer.
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Perhaps the most exciting striker linked with the club this year is Alexander Isak, who has scored 28 goals in 33 games this season.
However, with Newcastle United supposedly after at least £125m to entertain his exit, it's a move that feels incredibly unlikely.
Another player often named as a target for the Gunners is Viktor Gyokeres, who has continued his sensational form for Sporting CP last season into this one, although there is plenty of interest in him from other sides, which could complicate matters.
Viktor Gyokeres goals by season (timeless)
Fortunately, a recent report from Spain revealed that the North Londoners are in pole position for another top-quality striker who may be a better alternative to the Swede: Benjamin Sesko.
In fact, the report claims that the Gunners have already made a bid of €70m for the striker, which is around £59m.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko before taking a penalty
Moreover, while other sides are keen on securing the Slovenian's services this summer, the North Londoners are in a 'privileged position' to complete the deal and bring Sesko to the Emirates.
Why Sesko would be a brilliant Gyokeres alternative
So, the first thing to admit is that, yes, based on this season and last season, Gyokeres appears to be the far more prolific centre-forward.
Sesko vs Gyokeres since 23/24
Player
Sesko
Gyokeres
Appearances
79
92
Minutes
4738'
7454'
Goals
35
85
Assists
8
26
Goal Involvements per Match
0.54
1.20
Minutes per Goal Involvement
110.18'
67.15'
All Stats via Transfermarkt
After all, since moving to Sporting, the Swedish international has racked up a tally of 111 goal involvements in 92 games, whereas the Slovenian forward has managed to hit 43 in his 79 appearances since moving to Leipzig two years ago.
However, it's just as important to note that UEFA currently ranks the Portuguese league as the seventh-best league in Europe, whereas the Bundesliga is fourth and is considered to be among the traditional top five, meaning the level of opposition is far higher.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko shoots at goal
Moreover, while he's not been as prolific as the former Stockholm-born star this season, it does not mean he's been underwhelming.
In 37 appearances, totalling 2681 minutes, he's scored 17 goals and provided six assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.60 games or every 116.56 minutes.
Sesko's 24/25
Appearances
37
Minutes
2681'
Goals
17
Assists
6
Goal Involvements per Match
0.62
Minutes per Goal Involvement
116.56'
All Stats via Transfermarkt
To put that in context, he'd be Arsenal's top scorer this season and level for goal involvements overall with Bukayo Saka, which isn't bad company to keep for a young centre-forward.
That brings us to the second reason why signing the Radeče-born dynamo could be the wiser option: his age.
By the start of next season, the Leipzig gem will be just 22 years old, while the Swede will be 27.
While that doesn't mean the latter would be a bad investment, it does mean the club would get less out of him in the long run, and there is more scope for Sesko to reach a higher ceiling as the years progress.
Sesko-Leipzig
Finally, while both players are tall and powerful centre-forwards, the Slovenian "monster," as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, comes in at 6 foot 5. In contrast, Gyokeres is 6 foot 2, and if we know anything about Arteta, he has preferred to sign bigger, more intimidating players in recent years.
Just imagine a spine of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, and Sesko up top; there wouldn't be a team in Europe capable of bullying Arsenal off the ball.
Ultimately, the Gunners need a new number nine this summer, and while there are a number of players who'd fit the bill, Sesko looks like he's someone who could come in and do the job immediately while also developing into an even better player as the years go by.
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