Arteta needs a new frontmanArteta needs a new frontman
The Gunners have been left short at the top end of the pitch, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus having been ruled out for the season across January and February, Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka missed a couple of months, and Gabriel Martinelli also missed a shorter spell, all adding up to a serious lack of depth at the top end.
Mikel Merino has been filling in, and the Spaniard has done a good job in spells, most recently scoring a fine goal in the win over Real Madrid. But there is no doubting that Arsenal need a new striker, especially with Jesus ruled out until the winter due to the seriousness of his ACL injury.
One player Arsenal continue to be linked with is RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, who is expected to move on from the Bundesliga side this summer, and for a reported fee of around £60million.
The Gunners are said to be long-term admirers of Sesko, but it seems as though interest has cooled. David Ornstein said on his Athletic Q and A: “Arsenal have done a significant amount of work on Sesko over a long period. He is clearly a super talent who is doing really well and I’m sure he will continue to flourish.
“My colleague James McNicholas detailed recently that Arsenal have some reservations and so perhaps Arteta and Berta are prioritising others (we’ve reported previously about Isak/Gyokeres). That doesn’t mean to say Sesko is out of the equation but perhaps Arsenal is not looking like his most probable destination at this moment in time.
“We know Man Utd rate him highly, too… I seem to recall him being their top – or a prominent – target last summer before he decided to stay at Leipzig and sign a new contract. He is also among the names Chelsea are considering and I’m sure other top clubs are, too. It is not a cheap deal to do but none of these are and if/when Sesko does more it seems whoever wins the race will be getting a gem.”
Sesko’s agent Elvis Basanovic has recently said of links with Arsenal back in January: “I don’t know where this story has come from but I have never talked with Arsenal about a loan move for Sesko. Sesko is not a player for loans and this was never a topic with Arsenal or any other club. If you ask me if Sesko will move in January, I can only say Sesko is an RB Leipzig player and fully focused on that."
Sesko, who is still only 21 years of age, has scored 18 times so far this season, also providing six assists across all competitions. There is little doubt that he is one of the best young talents in world football when it comes to attacking players, but Arsenal must decide whether they are convinced that he will be a reliable goalscorer at Premier League and Champions League level for years to come.
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