Mikel Arteta has explained the reasoning behind Arsenal’s decision to sign Viktor Gyökeres rather than Benjamin Šeško. Describing a mixture of tactical fit, availability, and immediate readiness that tipped the balance. The choice reflects Arsenal’s need for a striker who fits their pressing game and can adapt quickly to the Premier League’s tempo.
Below I summarise Arteta’s rationale, the two players’ profiles, and a factual statistical comparison (before and after their respective moves) so you can see the data that shaped the debate.
Why Arteta chose Gyökeres over Šeško — the manager’s explanation
Arteta’s public comments and club sources point to a few simple reasons:
Immediate match readiness: Gyökeres arrived with a record of prolific finishing in Portugal. A profile Arsenal believed could slot into their system with minimal adaptation time. Arsenal announced the signing as a decisive move to add a striker who could lead the line from day one.
📊 Vitor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko this season:
🇸🇪 Gyokeres: 6 goals
🇸🇮 Sesko: 2 goals, 1 assist
But but "we should have gone for Sesko" lol pic.twitter.com/yR4CwZQQZj
— TVG (@Teamgyokeres) November 1, 2025
Tactical fit: Arteta prioritised a forward who presses intelligently, links play and can play both centrally and in more mobile roles. Gyökeres has shown those traits at Sporting. Arteta and his staff also value the striker’s off-ball movement and ability to create space for team-mates.
Availability and valuation: Reports at the time suggested Arsenal could secure Gyökeres quickly and at a fee they felt matched his profile and potential. Transfer windows and competing bids (including interest in Šeško from other clubs) influenced Arsenal’s timing.
Experience in senior competitions: Gyökeres’ recent seasons in Portugal included high-scoring campaigns and Champions League appearance, offering Arteta a player with finished-product traits compared with Šeško, who — while promising — was earlier in his development curve at RB Leipzig.
Arteta’s message was simple: the club made a calculated choice for readiness and fit, not just upside.
Player profiles — quick, clear comparison
Viktor Gyökeres: A powerful, mobile centre-forward who offers pressing, physical presence, and an eye for goal. Delivered exceptional scoring numbers in Portugal before his move. He also brings Champions League experience that helps with immediate European demands.
Benjamin Šeško: A tall, athletic striker with excellent aerial ability and finishing. Šeško has consistently scored through his time at RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg, and carries high long-term potential — but Arsenal judged Gyökeres the better short-term match for Arteta’s system at the time of the transfer window.
Statistical comparison (before vs after): what the numbers show
I produced two simple tables and charts comparing each player’s pre-move output (club before the transfer) and post-move output (club after the transfer) using publicly available season totals up to January 25, 2026.
In today’s football you should spend millions of euros to have a good striker in your team, for example:
Alexander Isak / €145M – 1 Goal
Nick Woltemade / €75M – 6 Goals
Hugo Ekitike / €95M – 6 Goals
Viktor Gyokeres / €65M – 6 Goals
Benjamin Sesko / €76M – 2 Goals pic.twitter.com/bemoRYnwry
— La Masia Lover (@lamasiaafcb) November 11, 2025
Key numbers used (season totals up to Jan 25, 2026):
Viktor Gyökeres — Sporting (pre-Arsenal): 66 appearances, 68 goals. Arsenal (2025-26, post-move): 20 appearances, 5 goals, 3 assists, 1,346 minutes.
Benjamin Šeško — RB Leipzig (pre-Man Utd): 64 appearances, 27 goals. Manchester United (2025-26, post-move): 18 appearances, 4 goals.
You’ll see the comparison tables and bar charts above. They show:
A clear drop in raw counting stats (goals, appearances) immediately after moving — a common pattern while players adapt to a new league and team.
Goals per game (goals ÷ appearances) was calculated in the tables for both players to give a normalized comparison:Gyökeres: Sporting pre — 1.03 goals per game; Arsenal post — 0.25 goals per game (based on season totals to Jan 25).
Šeško: RB Leipzig pre — 0.42 goals per game; Man Utd post — 0.22 goals per game.
STRIKER COMPARISON: BEFORE & AFTER TRANSFER
VIKTOR GYÖKERES
Before Arsenal (Sporting CP)
• Appearances: 66
• Goals: 68
• Goals per game: 1.03
• League: Portuguese Primeira Liga
• Role: Primary No.9, high-volume finisher
After Arsenal (2025–26)
• Appearances: 20
• Goals: 5
• Goals per game: 0.25
• League: Premier League
• Role: Pressing striker, rotational starter
BENJAMIN ŠEŠKO
Before Man United (RB Leipzig)
• Appearances: 64
• Goals: 27
• Goals per game: 0.42
• League: Bundesliga
• Role: Development striker, transition threat
After Man United (2025–26)
• Appearances: 18
• Goals: 4
• Goals per game: 0.22
• League: Premier League
• Role: Rotational forward, physical outlet
Different leagues. Different roles. Same adaptation challenge
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