After consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League, Arsenal have proved they’re no longer a project—they’re contenders. Mikel Arteta has built a team with a clear identity, tactical maturity, and serious aspirations of ending Manchester City’s dominance. But if there’s one missing piece, it’s a true centre-forward.
While Kai Havertz has adapted admirably and Gabriel Jesus offers plenty between the lines, the Gunners still lack a dominant, clinical No.9 who can reliably lead the line, bully defenders, and put away chances in high-pressure moments. With reports linking Arsenal to both Benjamin Šeško and Viktor Gyökeres, the question is not just who’s the better player—but who is the better fit?
The Profiles: Youth vs Experience
Benjamin Šeško, currently at RB Leipzig, is a 21-year-old Slovenian striker standing at 1.95m tall. He’s been described as a blend of Erling Haaland’s raw power and Zlatan Ibrahimović’s finesse, and while those comparisons are lofty, there’s enough in his game to justify the excitement. Šeško is quick over long distances, devastating in transition, and surprisingly agile for his size. He’s a typical Red Bull system graduate: aggressive in the press, direct in attack, and tactically versatile.
Viktor Gyökeres, five years older at 26, has exploded at Sporting CP. Since moving from Coventry City in 2023, he’s scored 30 goals and registered 7 assists in just 26 league games for Sporting this season. That’s a jaw-dropping 51% goal contribution rate. He’s more polished in the final third than Šeško right now and operates more comfortably as a link-up striker. Physically strong, technically reliable, and with a good eye for a pass, Gyökeres is a complete centre-forward thriving in a league that often demands individual brilliance.
Goal Output and Underlying Metrics
In terms of raw output, Gyökeres is the clear leader. His record at Sporting—30 goals and 7 assists in 26 Liga Portugal appearances—is elite by any standard. His stats back that up:
Non-Penalty Goals (0.59 per 90) – 84th percentile
xA (Expected Assists) – 95th percentile
Shot-Creating Actions – 95th percentile
Progressive Carries – 96th percentile
Viktor Gyökeres’ FBref scouting report over the last 365 days highlights his elite attacking metrics—including shot-creating actions, progressive carries, and pass completion—making him one of the most efficient and dynamic centre-forwards in Europe. However, his defensive contribution and aerial presence remain notably low.
Source: FBref / Opta, data from last 365 days across Europe’s Big 5 leagues, UCL & UEL (based on 608 minutes played)
Šeško, in contrast, has a more modest statistical output this season, primarily because of a slower integration at Leipzig. However, since becoming a regular starter post-January 2024, he’s delivered consistently—scoring in seven consecutive Bundesliga games last season and adding high-impact goals in the Champions League. His current data shows:
Non-Penalty Goals (0.59 per 90) – 82nd percentile
Progressive Carries – 62nd percentile
Successful Take-Ons – 84th percentile
Aerials Won – 67th percentile
Benjamin Šeško’s FBref scouting report reveals his strong goal-scoring output and aerial presence, alongside impressive take-on success. However, his overall involvement in buildup play and creative metrics—such as shot-creating actions and passing accuracy—remain areas for growth as he continues to mature into a more complete centre-forward. Source: FBref / Opta, data from the last 365 days across Europe’s Big 5 leagues, UCL & UEL (based on 2,912 minutes played)
Interestingly, both players produce nearly the same number of goals per 90 without penalties, but Gyökeres creates more chances for teammates, with Šeško more often being the end-point of the attack.
Style of Play: What They Bring to the Table
Gyökeres is the definition of a ball-progressing striker. He thrives on receiving the ball between the lines, holding up play, and driving into space. His dribbling and passing metrics are elite, and he constantly looks to bring teammates into the game. He’s especially useful against deep blocks—something Arsenal see a lot of.
Šeško is more of a classic striker with modern traits. He excels in off-the-ball movement, intelligent pressing, and stretching the backline. His ability to run channels, press high, and attack aerial deliveries adds a vertical threat Arsenal lack. He’s not yet a refined link-up striker but shows flashes of it, particularly when combining with Loïs Openda at Leipzig.
From a tactical standpoint, Šeško complements Kai Havertz well. As analyzed in several tactical breakdowns, he could operate as a “first reference”—a player who can receive direct balls from David Raya or William Saliba and set play. His ability to drag defenders wide or deep would create space for Arsenal’s rotating midfielders and wide forwards like Saka and Martinelli.
Tactical Fit at Arsenal
This is where things get more nuanced.
Arsenal typically build in a 3-2-5 shape, with the striker acting as both a focal point and a pressing trigger. Arteta’s system demands intelligent off-ball movement, positional fluidity, and the ability to function under intense pressure.
Šeško offers:
Verticality and movement in behind
Strong aerial presence (2.38 aerials won per 90)
Tactical synergy with Havertz in a dual-striker or interchanging setup
Pressing and recovery traits (80th percentile in ball recoveries)
Long-term upside as a developing talent
Gyökeres offers:
Elite ball-carrying and final third decision-making
Stronger short-range combination play
Premier-level physicality and composure
Greater consistency and match fitness across 90 minutes
Proven output in a full season leading the line
One potential issue is zone occupation. Gyökeres tends to drift into the same spaces that Ødegaard and Havertz like to work in. Šeško’s movement, by contrast, is more complementary—he plays off others and stretches defences.
Defensive Contribution
Šeško clearly comes out on top here. Despite his frame, he presses like a Red Bull graduate should. In counter-pressing scenarios, he’s aggressive, quick to close space, and often cuts off passing lanes.
Gyökeres? Not so much. His percentile for tackles, interceptions, and defensive actions is in the bottom 5% of forwards. That might not be a deal-breaker, but it’s a data point that matters for Arteta’s pressing-reliant structure.
eague Context: Bundesliga vs Liga Portugal
This is a critical but often overlooked consideration.
Šeško is doing it in the Bundesliga and Champions League—against the likes of Bayern, Leverkusen, and Juventus. The Bundesliga’s tempo and tactical variation are far closer to the Premier League than Liga Portugal.
Gyökeres, for all his brilliance, is operating in a slower, less physical league. Yes, his output is phenomenal, but strikers in Portugal often struggle with the transition. Darwin Núñez took time at Liverpool, and others haven’t made the leap at all.
Value, Age, and Future Potential
Arsenal operate under a self-sustaining model. Arsenal have recently preferred to sign players with room for growth, who can either become long-term assets or generate resale value.
Šeško (21) is valued at €65m, with a profile that fits the age curve Arsenal have built around. He’s not the finished product, but he’s on a steep upward trajectory.
Gyökeres (26) is priced at €75m, and while in his prime, his resale value will diminish rapidly. He also likely commands higher wages.
From a financial and sporting project perspective, Šeško aligns better with the model.
Verdict: The Right Choice for Arsenal?
If Arsenal wanted a plug-and-play striker for immediate impact, Gyökeres is a compelling option. He’s in red-hot form, mentally robust, and tactically versatile enough to deliver 15–20 goals next season in the right setup.
But Arsenal don’t just need goals. They need fit, sustainability, and a ceiling that justifies the investment.
Benjamin Šeško offers that.
He brings aerial dominance, intelligent movement, pressing energy, and the ability to grow alongside Arsenal’s young core. He fits tactically alongside Havertz, Saka, Ødegaard, and Martinelli—and doesn’t demand the ball in the same areas.
In short: Gyökeres is great. But Šeško is right.
If Arsenal want to build not just for now, but for the next five years, Benjamin Šeško is the striker to sign.
Final Word: Expect growing noise around this transfer decision. But if Arteta’s project is about evolution, identity, and smart integration, Šeško checks every box. The only thing left is to move fast—before someone else does.