Arsenal FC EPL
Emirates Arsenal FC EPL
Arsenal are prioritising the signing of a new striker and according to a report by The Independent, the Gunners have now narrowed down their search to just two candidates.
Mikel Arteta’s side has massively struggled with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz as their two striking options but Arsenal will get rid of both of them as soon as the season comes to an end. The manager is desperate to add a prolific goalscorer to his ranks and for the longest time, Arteta has been interested in signing Alexander Isak.
Isak is also ready to leave for a new challenge but Arsenal have now realised that this transfer is not going to happen. Newcastle United are quoting around £100 million for the Swedish international and there’s no way Arsenal will pay that much money for him.
If not Isak, then which two players are Arsenal targeting?
Arsenal have multiple options on their shortlist but as per the rumours, the Gunners will try and sign either Viktor Gyokeres or RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
These two players are both set to be available for around £75 million and that price tag suits Arsenal a lot better.
Which of these two strikers should lead the line for Arteta?
Benjamin Sesko has been linked with Arsenal for more than a year but Viktor Gyokeres’ form this season has caught the attention of all the major Premier League clubs and Arsenal are also on that list.
First we take a look at the data for both these players so that we can get an idea of how they are performing for their respective clubs.
Data Viktor Gyokeres Benjamin Sesko
Goals scored 38 13
Assists 7 5
xG 31.4 12.58
Shots Taken 101 50
xA 6.83 4.5
Key Passes 61 18
Dribbles 116 67
One look at the numbers and we can clearly see who the winner is and if Arsenal needs someone who can net 30 plus goals next season then Viktor Gyokeres is that man. The Portuguese international has scored 52 goals across all competitions this season and these are just staggering numbers.
Also, Sesko has spent all his senior career in Germany while Gyokeres has experience of playing in England with Brighton and Coventry.
Last summer, Sporting were quoting around £90 million for him but this year, the Liga NOS side have lowered their demands. Signing a goal machine like Gyokeres for £75 million will be an absolute steal for Arsenal.
Having said all this, it will not be easy for the North London side to their hands on the 26-year-old because a host of other top clubs have also been linked with him so there’s a fair chance that Arsenal might have to settle for Benjamin Sesko. Teams like Chelsea and Manchester United can afford to jack up the price but we doubt the Gunners will be ready to pay anything more than £80 million for Gyokeres.
Stats courtesy Datamb & FootyStats