Arsenal came within hair’s breadth of ending Manchester City’s Premier League winning streak. They are already planning summer investments to take Mikel Arteta’s side to the next level.
A clear area for improvement is central striker. Gabriel Jesus contributed just four goals in league throughout entirety of last season. While Kai Havertz has shown promise, this is when leading the line on his own. But Arsenal fans continue to yearn for a natural goalscoring striker.
Benjamin Sesko: Arsenal’s Potential New Star
That man could be Benjamin Sesko. The 6ft 4in RB Leipzig striker is fast becoming one of Europe’s most-wanted players. Manchester United and Chelsea are both tracking 20-year-old. Reports from Metro Football suggest that Arsenal are leading race for Slovenian striker. He is also keen on a move to Emirates.
Who is Benjamin Sesko?
Despite his young age, Benjamin Sesko has been making waves for several years. He scored 59 goals in 23 games in U15 setup at Slovenian side Krsko. He soon joined Slovenian top-flight outfit NK Domzale. It was only year later that he caught eye of Red Bull Salzburg. He signed a professional contract with Austrian side in 2019 at just 16 years old.
After two seasons out on loan. Sesko finally got his chance in first team and enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2022/23. He notched up 16 goals in 30 league appearances. Sesko attracted interest from host of top clubs in Europe. It was Leipzig, operating under same Red Bull ownership conglomerate as Salzburg that secured the striker’s signature for fee of around £20m.
After a solid maiden campaign in Bundesliga, Sesko bagged 18 goals in 42 appearances. The striker is attracting interest again. A £56 million release clause is purported to be in his contract but must be activated before end of June.
Why is Sesko So Highly Rated?
While his goal record speaks for itself, it is Benjamin Sesko’s startling physical characteristics that catches the eye. Two-footed and with excellent turn of pace, the Slovenian’s height and physicality had him idolising Zlatan Ibrahimovic as youngster but has also drawn modern-day comparisons with Erling Haaland.
“Such comparisons motivate me and give me energy,” Sesko previously said when asked about the City striker. “They do not represent pressure. I will listen and learn. So I can be even better than he is. My teammates at club tell me that Haaland and I are very similar. Especially in terms of speed. Most of them even tell me that I’m better than him.”
His all-round capabilities also mean he has versatility to play in wide variety of different tactical setups. Still so young. Arteta will undoubtedly believe he can be molded into perfect striker to fit his system.
“He is among the game’s top young talents. And has enormous potential to become top player” Leipzig technical director Christopher Vivell previously said.
He has all the qualities to do that. He’s extremely quick, he has great jump on him and is strong in the air. Benjamin is real goalscorer, he is mobile and technically strong. His abilities make him a special player. He has special profile.
How Could Sesko Fit into Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal Side?
Benjamin Sesko would likely be thrown straight into action up front for Arsenal. Flanked by Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. This would allow Havertz to drop further back into midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
His height and aerial ability would add another dimension to Arsenal’s impressive set-piece threat. At same time his physicality could provide focal point for attacks in a way that Jesus struggled to do last season.
However, there would be somewhat of learning curve for Sesko. Not only would he be expected to play a greater role in possession. As Arsenal look to break down low-block defenses. But he would also have to adjust to being lone striker. Contrast to two-man attack in which he was often deployed at Leipzig last season.
There would be pressure on Slovenian to hit ground running immediately especially if big figure is forked out to bring him to Emirates.
Still, there is little in his exciting career thus far. To suggest that weight of expectation would burden him.
