REVEALED: Why Mikel Arteta Prefers Benjamin Sesko Over €60m Gyokeres

Regardless of what Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta do in the transfer window over the coming weeks, the highlight of their summer deals will be signing a striker.

The club endured a difficult season due to a series of injuries, which forced them to make Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino play as an auxiliary striker. This change came after injuries to both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus at crucial moments in the season.

As a result of the disappointing end to their campaign, Arsenal is expected to actively seek a proven goalscorer during the transfer window. This move reflects their need for a reliable forward, a position they have not really addressed since signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the final six months of Arsène Wenger’s tenure.

Since the summer of 2020, the club has invested €80 million in attacking signings, with only Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard joining Mikel Arteta’s squad during that time. The former, who is the only striker, isn’t a proven goalscorer.

Fans and pundits alike continue to speculate over who will be Arsenal’s chosen striker, with two names emerging as the most prominent in the conversation — Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres.

Both strikers have expressed their desire to leave their respective clubs this summer, and while their departures are understood to be mutual, any potential suitor will need to activate their release clauses — at RB Leipzig for Sesko and at Sporting CP for Gyokeres.

Arsenal have held a long-standing interest in Slovenian striker Sesko, and made a strong push to sign him last summer, but the 21-year-old opted to extend his stay at RB Leipzig with a new contract.

After a disappointing season with the Red Bull club, one that saw them crash out of the UEFA Champions League group stage and miss out on European qualification with a seventh-place Bundesliga finish, Benjamin Sesko is among the key names to have communicated their intentions to leave this summer.

Despite the team’s struggles, Sesko scored 21 goals and six assists in 45 appearances across all competitions, bringing his total goal contributions to 27, seven more than the previous campaign, signaling a significant improvement in his attacking output.

In contrast, Viktor Gyökeres has maintained his exceptional form at Sporting CP, leading the club to back-to-back Portuguese league titles and claiming the league’s top scorer award for a second consecutive season.

The Swedish striker’s 39 league goals put him in pole position for the European Golden Shoe — a prize he will secure if Kylian Mbappé fails to score in the final round of La Liga fixtures this weekend. He has also guided Sporting to the Portuguese Cup final, where a clash with Benfica still awaits.

With 53 goals and 12 assists in 51 games across all competitions, no player in world football has found the net more often than the 26-year-old former Brighton striker.

No feed found with the ID 1. Go to the All Feeds page and select an ID from an existing feed.

🚨 @David_Ornstein: “It seems Arsenal are deciding between which of Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyökeres to pursue as their preferred target. They’re both under consideration but it’s hard to know who is higher. There are many factors that contribute to such decisions being made.” pic.twitter.com/mmLJ7jFhI5

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) May 22, 2025

While the numbers point to a clear winner in terms of output, the contrasting qualities and potential of the options mean Arsenal faces no straightforward decision when it comes to choosing who to prioritize.

Yet, Mikel Arteta appears to be more focused on Sesko, a player he has admired even before Viktor Gyökeres’s rise to prominence. Recent media reports have revealed some reasons why the Spanish manager prefers Sesko. In this article, we will explore five of those reasons.

Why Mikel Arteta Prefers Benjamin Sesko Over Viktor Gyokeres

Mikel Arteta’s preference for Benjamin Sesko over Viktor Gyokeres in Arsenal’s striker search stems from strategic thinking aligned with the club’s long-term vision.

According to multiple top-tier reports, here are five key reasons why it may be the Slovenian — with a release clause of €80 million — rather than Gyokeres, who is available for €71 million, making the move to North London this summer.

1. Higher Ceiling

At 21, Sesko has demonstrated significant potential, and he is only bound to get better as he ages. While Gyokeres is clearly the better of the two at this time, the former has what it takes to affect games more, rather than just scoring goals.

His combination of pace, power, and finishing ability with both feet and his head, suggests a capacity for further development, making him a prospect with a higher ceiling compared to Gyökeres.

After two seasons in the German Bundesliga, the signs have become more glaring that Sesko can hit the ground running in the Premier League and, in the current Arsenal setup, will fit in well and continue to develop with the rest of the team.

2. Age Advantage

Sesko’s youth offers a longer trajectory for growth and adaptation within Arsenal’s system. At 21, his prime is still years ahead of him, and it gives Arsenal the time to mold him into the ideal striker for their system.

In contrast, Gyökeres, at 26, is entering his peak years, which may limit his long-term contribution to the club’s evolving dynamics.

Investing in a younger talent like Sesko provides more value over time, both in performance and potential resale. Arteta’s project relies on building a squad that can grow together, and the Leipzig man’s age fits perfectly into that timeline.

3. Risk of Late Bloom

Viktor Gyokeres’ breakout season in a top-flight league came when he was 25, and this realization raises flags about long-term consistency. While his goal tally at Sporting CP is impressive, it comes after years of modest returns in lower leagues.

This late bloom poses a risk—was it a two-season peak or the start of sustained elite form? For a club like Arsenal, built on long-term vision, betting heavily on a player who’s only recently hit top gear could backfire if that form doesn’t translate to the Premier League.

Sesko, by contrast, is progressing steadily and predictably. His adaptation in Germany having already made strides in Austria, makes him a safer developmental investment.

4. Box Striker Profile

Sesko thrives as a classic box striker. Tall, powerful, and instinctive inside the penalty area. He profiles as a traditional number nine, which is something Mikel Arteta lacks in the squad.

The Gunners have players like Gabriel Jesus, whose strength is ball playing, and Kai Havertz, a midfielder-cum striker. What they do not have is a player who excels at occupying defenders, timing his runs, and finishing with both feet and his head. Sesko fits that description more.

Gyokeres, while versatile and dynamic, often drift wide and contribute more to build-up than pure finishing. Arteta wants efficiency and presence in the box, and Sesko’s style offers that direct, reliable threat that Arsenal’s current attack lacks.

5. Higher Resale Value

Sesko’s age and potential growth make him a valuable asset with significant resale potential. Investing in a younger player like the Slovenian aligns with Arsenal’s model of developing talent for both performance and future financial return.

Age 21, coupled with his upward trajectory, makes him a valuable long-term asset with strong resale potential. Clubs across Europe covet young, physically gifted strikers, and if he develops as expected under Arteta, his market value could soar.

Gyökeres, on the other hand, at 26, would have limited resale appeal in a few years, especially if form dips or injuries arise. For a club like Arsenal, balancing performance with smart financial planning is key.

Sesko offers not just footballing value, but the potential for a lucrative future sale if needed, something Gyokeres, due to age and timing, can’t match.

Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi