Is Benjamin Sesko the answer for Arsenal this summer? | OneFootball

Arsenal’s address of an obvious weakness looks set to take place this summer. The lack of an out-and-out goalscorer in the side was evident last season, with Mikel Arteta and his recruitment team now looking to solve the side’s shortcomings.

At the start of the summer, Arsenal appeared to have a considerable list of targets. With the transfer window set to re-open tomorrow, it appears the shortlist is down to two: Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres.

Despite the sheer volume of Gyokeres’s numbers, Sesko appears to be the frontrunner. Arsenal first expressed interest in the 22-year-old last summer and have returned a year later, following RB Leipzig’s failure to secure European football.

The Slovenian is a huge prospect. But is Sesko the ‘win-now striker’ Arsenal are searching for after three consecutive runners-up finishes in the Premier League? And how does he compare to Gyokeres, both statistically and stylistically?

Gyokeres vs Sesko: The numbers

In terms of output, there is only one winner. Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 games across the last two seasons for Sporting Lisbon, an absurd total to end consecutive campaigns as the Primeira Liga’s leading scorer.

Though 30.7% of his league goals arrived from the penalty spot, Gyokeres still scored 29 non-penalty goals from a non-penalty xG of 21.49, over-performing from open play.

His 28.1% conversion rate was comfortably the highest in the Primeira Liga and better than almost all of the Premier League’s top scorers from 2024/25, barring Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood (29.4%). For context, Premier League Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah converted 22.3% of his efforts on goal last season.

The caveat, of course, is Gyokeres’s goals have come in Portugal, ranked as only Europe’s seventh-strongest domestic division, behind the Eredivisie. What percentage of that output can be transferred to the Premier League is the biggest question mark around Gyokeres. At 27, the Swede has never played in a top-five European league.

Sesko scored 13 league goals for Leipzig last season and has 27 over his two Bundesliga campaigns. In both seasons, he’s outperformed his xG, even if a conversion rate of 19.1% – equal to Ollie Watkins last season – does not stand out quite as Gyokeres’s does.

It’s worth noting, however, that across his two Bundesliga seasons, he’s scored 27 times from only 17.7 xG.

Why Sesko appears a better stylistic fit for Arsenal

Gyokeres’s goals make a compelling case for his signing, but there’s an argument that Sesko, while raw, is a better stylistic fit. A towering presence with pace, athleticism, height and running power, it’s a recipe that could solve several issues for the Gunners.

Arsenal ranked third in the Premier League for crosses per game last season, with only Bournemouth and Fulham averaging more. Mikel Merino deputised admirably as an auxiliary forward in Kai Havertz’s absence, but the lack of a natural penalty-box presence was apparent. Though cross volume was high, in terms of efforts on goal per 90, Arsenal were fifth and only sixth for shots on target.

Sesko’s 6ft 5in frame and tremendous leap would give the Gunners a focal point that has been lacking. In addition to scoring three headed goals, Sesko ranked in the top 15% of forwards in the Bundesliga for aerial duels won (70) and percentage of aerial duels won last season.

Gyokeres won just 36 aerial duels for Sporting in the Primeira Liga, while none of his 54 goals in all competitions came via his head. Given the Premier League’s greater athleticism and Arsenal’s expertise from set-pieces, that is perhaps an area of concern for Arsenal.

Sesko, however, is more than a stationary target man awaiting deliveries. His dribble success rate is better than Gyokeres’ in league action last season, while an average of 1.46 successful take-ons per game was a Bundesliga-leading total among recognised number nines.

In addition, he’s quick. Sesko clocked a top speed of 35.69 km/h in 2024/25, with only Gabriel Martinelli recording a faster sprint speed in the current Arsenal squad.

Is Sesko the right transfer for Arsenal?

It’s important to note that comparing Arsenal’s favoured forward targets does not necessarily have to conclude with one winner and one loser. Both are among the best options on the current market and both have attributes that could suit the North Londoners. Either would represent a clear upgrade in an attack that was patched together for long periods of last season.

Sesko appears to have an edge in stylistic fit and a plethora of raw ingredients that could thrive at the Emirates. At five years younger, the Slovenian could be the long-term answer.

He might not be readymade to win a Premier League Golden Boot but there’s plenty to like. Coupled with an additional wide player that can ease the creative burden on Bukayo Saka, the addition of Sesko could be crucial in turning Arsenal from contenders to champions.

Given investment elsewhere at direct rivals this summer, Arsenal need to get their business right.

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