Arsenal are accelerating their pursuit of Sporting CP hitman Viktor Gyokeres, but RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko is determined to show the Gunners that he should be their new No.9.
The Slovenia international was Arsenal’s top target for the centre-forward position for the best part of a year. In 2024, then-sporting director Edu laid the groundwork for a future move of Sesko to the Emirates.
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In the summer, the young striker decided to remain with RB Leipzig for another season in a bid to continue his development, but Sesko was convinced of the Gunners’ project and would have chosen them had he opted to leave Germany.
However, in the year since then, a lot has changed at Arsenal. Andrea Berta has replaced Edu, and the Italian wants to sign an elite, experienced striker who can immediately take the North London club to the next level.
This has seen Gyokeres surge to the top of Arsenal’s shortlist, with them now pushing for his signing. While Sesko remains an option, he is likely to only be the Gunners’ Plan B, and he could even be more expensive than the Swede due to a variable release clause that could yet rise to €80 million.
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Sesko keen to rectify mistake
At the time, Sesko’s decision to stay at Leipzig and to hone his skills for another season seemed sensible. However, in hindsight, it was probably a mistake that has proved costly not just for him but also for Arsenal.
Without a reliable No.9, the Premier League giants were unable to mount a credible title challenge, and Sesko himself has struggled as well. It has been a dire season for Leipzig, and the 21-year-old has had some real ups and downs this term.
All told, Sesko has scored 21 goals in 43 appearances, which are respectable numbers. However, they are nothing compared to the insane statistics Gyokeres is recording at Sporting.
In general, Sesko hasn’t always been capable of showing that he is ready to lead the line for a club like Arsenal. When he is on form, he is an unstoppable machine with so much upside, but there have been plenty of times this term when he has been anonymous for extended periods.
His scoring record so far this calendar year is blotchy, to say the least. In 15 Bundesliga games, he has scored six goals, four of them coming against sides that are battling relegation.
However, on Saturday, he showed what he is capable of. Leipzig hosted Bayern in a game that was emblematic of their season. Despite storming into a 2-0 half-time lead, the Saxons ultimately required a 94th-minute equaliser to salvage a point and to postpone Bayern’s title celebrations.
Sesko opened the scoring with an outrageous outside-of-the-boot finish from 37.1 metres out after Bayern were hit on the counter and goalkeeper Jonas Urbig was caught in no man’s land, with an untimely slip only making matters worse for the young shot-stopper.
For a player standing at 6 ft 5 in (195 cm), Sesko’s level of technical refinement is off the charts, and his goal against Bayern was visual proof that he can do world-class things on the football pitch.
Leipzig have two more games to save what has been a wretched season by nabbing a place in the Champions League. Sesko will have to be at his best to not only help his club but also to make the case for himself that he ought to be the striker Arsenal sign this summer.
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