Arsenal have enjoyed a meteoric rise under Mikel Arteta's wing, making year-by-year progress and now not just consistent Champions League competitors but one of the most respected squads in European football.
However, it's been five years since the Gunners added to their trophy cabinet, Arteta winning the FA Cup just months into his reign way back in 2019/20, defeating Chelsea in the final.
It's clear that there's a missing ingredient, that one last piece of the puzzle which will pave the way to new levels of success in the Premier League and beyond.
Arsenal need to sign a striker, and while Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres has been high on the list, it looks like sporting director Andrea Berta is instead going to move for Benjamin Sesko.
The latest on Benjamin Sesko to Arsenal
On Thursday, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that concrete talks between Arsenal and RB Leipzig are underway for the transfer of Slovenian striker Sesko, who has an €80m (£67m) release clause in his contract.
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Since then, Arsenal sources have claimed that personal terms are all wrapped up, and that we're now entering the later stages of a saga which promises the 22-year-old's transfer to the Emirates Stadium in the coming weeks.
Sesko is considered one of the most exciting centre-forwards in Europe, having scored 39 goals across two seasons in Germany.
However, while Arsenal are desperate for more firepower, the striker's arrival would rock the boat somewhat, with someone like Gabriel Jesus perhaps at risk of being ousted from contention next season, should Berta drive the deal over the line.
Why Gabriel Jesus needs to go
In 2022, Arsenal signed Jesus from Manchester City in a deal worth £45m, securing one of the Premier League's finest pure finishers, chiselled into a natural winner under Pep Guardiola's wing too.
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But he's struggled with injuries ever since first donning the Arsenal jersey, missing 61 matches due to injury absence since joining.
After tearing his cruciate ligament in January, thus ending his season after undergoing surgery, the Brazil forward's day may well be done, with the potential signing of Sesko bound to knock him down the pecking order.
Jesus did enjoy a burst of clinical form before that blow, but consistency has been a struggle even when he's maintained fitness levels, with pundit Micah Richards calling the 28-year-old "frustrating" after one performance against Liverpool last October.
Gabriel Jesus' Arsenal Career by Season (all comps)
Season
24/25
23/24
22/23
Data via Transfermarkt
Kai Havertz is not a natural goalscorer, but his unique set of skills make for an interesting and dynamic option at number nine, something that could serve well as the counterpoint to Leipzig's inbound man.
Moreover, Jesus pockets a staggering £265k per week at Arsenal, supposedly placing him behind only Havertz on the club's wage bill. Is it justifiable for both players, neither of whom may start every week, to be on the books for the club next term?
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Journalist Graeme Bailey believes that, while the Gunners are pressing ahead with contract talks for Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, they may be warming to the prospect of selling Jesus.
His current injury may inhibit the chances of doing that this summer, but it's looking rather likely that the arrival of Sesko will spell the end of the Brazilian's time at the Emirates, his setback proving little more than a stay of execution.
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Arsenal could be about to land a star who could star alongside Benjamin Sesko at the Emirates.