Arsenal want to sign a striker during the summer transfer window, football.london understands. It is the club’s main priority, despite of course moves for other roles such as midfield where a move for Martin Zubimendi is already at the advanced stages.
However, while it might have seemed obvious after a move for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko appeared to be delayed last summer when he opted to spend at least one more season with the German side that Arsenal would return for the Slovenian, the arrival of Andrea Berta as new sporting director has changed things. Mikel Arteta admitted the Italian would be expected to tweak and improve plans which include a move for a striker.
The most prominent name at present is Viktor Gyokeres. The Sporting CP striker has scored 95 goals in 100 games for Sporting in the past two seasons across all competitions making him one of the world’s most prolific centre-forwards.
However, the pair have left a split between supporters, some who lean more toward the younger option in Sesko whereas others see greater guarantees with the record of Gyokeres. Sesko, after two seasons with Leipzig, has 39 goals in 86 games.
Yes, the gap in output is very different but then there are contexts. Gyokeres plays in, with respect, a less competitive league for the most dominant club who are on track to win back-to-back Liga Portugal titles.
Sesko plays in the more competitive Bundesliga for the seventh place RB Leipzig who rank well inside the bottom half of the table when it comes to chance creation. Then there is the elephant in the room, the number of penalties scored.
Of Sesko’s 39 goals, four have been penalties. Whereas of the 78 goals Gyokeres has scored in the league and Europe, 21 goals have been from the spot.
It would be fair to say Gyokeres has been responsible for winning some of those penalties but suddenly the gap from open play is much smaller between the pair, and the age of the two is not.
Gyokeres turns 27 in June whereas Sesko turns just 22 at the end of May. A five-year gap is quite the difference especially if Gyokeres’ first season is a tough one. Where Sesko has much more room to grow, the Swede perhaps does not, especially in regards to retaining value.
Either player would be a risk. But we want your thoughts - who are you choosing? Vote in our poll below and if neither takes your fancy, let us know in the comment section who your unnamed preferred choice would be.