Mikel Arteta’s Risky Pursuit of Benjamin Sesko and Its Potential Impact on the Club’s Future as Arsenal’s Striker Gamble Continues
Arsenal have been advised to reconsider their pursuit of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, with concerns raised over the hefty price tag attached to the Slovenian forward. Former footballer Frank Leboeuf, speaking to ESPN, warned that spending £70-85 million on Sesko would be a risky investment, questioning whether the young striker can deliver at Premier League level and avoiding Arsenal’s striker gamble.
Manager Mikel Arteta is eager to bolster his attacking options after another trophyless season. Arsenal’s lack of a prolific goal scorer has been a glaring issue, with the club failing to sign a new striker in previous transfer windows. Sesko, along with Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike, has been on Arsenal’s radar, but none of these options come cheap.
Sesko, who scored 13 Bundesliga goals last season, has shown promise, but Leboeuf argues that Arsenal would be taking a significant gamble by investing such a large sum in him. He pointed to past examples of big-money signings that failed to live up to expectations, including Jadon Sancho and Darwin Nunez.
Leboeuf emphasized that clubs often spend recklessly when the money isn’t coming directly from their own pockets. He questioned whether Sesko’s performances at Leipzig provide enough assurance that he can thrive in the Premier League.
If Arsenal decide against pursuing Sesko, they could turn their attention to Gyokeres, who had an impressive season with Sporting Lisbon, scoring 54 goals. However, Gyokeres reportedly demands a £300,000-a-week contract, which could be another financial hurdle for the Gunners.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are also working on securing a £51 million deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, as Arteta looks to strengthen his squad in multiple areas.
With the summer transfer window heating up, Arsenal must weigh their options carefully. While Sesko remains a top target, the club’s decision-makers will need to determine whether the investment aligns with their long-term strategy. Arteta’s desire for a new striker is clear, but whether Sesko is the right fit remains a subject of debate.
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