Arsenal‘s issues have been laid naked over the previous few weeks and if they’ll finish the season as Premier League champions, they should signal a number of gamers this month.
Towards Newcastle United within the Carabao Cup, Mikel Arteta‘s males had been left to bemoan some terrible ending from Kai Havertz who notably glanced an effort off his shoulder huge of the aim from a number of yards out.
It was Havertz once more within the FA Cup per week in the past, skying the ball over the bar when it regarded simpler to attain, whereas they had been almost left to rue some poor ending towards Spurs within the north London derby. They did, at the least, come by means of that one.
Nevertheless, simply if you suppose they’ve discovered their mojo once more, going 2-0 up towards Aston Villa, the outcome was taken away from them after some uncharacteristically unhealthy defending.
Nonetheless, bolstering the ahead ranks ought to stay the primary precedence this month.
Arsenal’s plans to signal a brand new striker
The person who everybody desires proper now could be Alexander Isak. The Newcastle ahead is among the most in-form centre forwards on the planet, scoring 11 goals in his last ten matches in all competitions.
He is been regularly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium however with the Toon slapping a £150m asking price on him, any transfer is extremely unlikely.
Transfer Focus
Mega cash offers, controversial strikes and big-name flops. That is the house of switch information and opinion throughout Soccer FanCast.
Options are required, due to this fact, and in Benjamin Sesko – a man described as the “new Erling Haaland” by scout Jacek Kulig, they could have their man.
Sesko was the topic of curiosity from the Gunners over the summer time however finally signed a brand new contract with German membership RB Leipzig. A transfer in 2025 feels extra doubtless however will or not it’s completed in January or the summer time?
Properly, in response to the Solar, Arsenal are now weighing up a massive £70m bid for the striker this month as Arteta goals to bolster his facet.
The Mirror additionally goes so far as to recommend he’s ‘already said yes’ to joining the Gunners, with a willingness now on the participant’s facet to maneuver.
Why Benjamin Sesko might be Arsenal’s very personal Alexander Isak
In January 2022, Arsenal were reportedly looking at a move for Isak, who was enjoying for Actual Sociedad on the time.
Boasting a launch clause of £75m, the Gunners thought it sat above his market worth and as an alternative, they ignored a transfer and most well-liked different choices.
Only a few months later he moved to St James’ Park in a deal worth around £63m and since then, it is protected to say Arteta and Co shall be regretting their choice to not shell out.
Whereas on the time Isak was hardly prolific, scoring 11 in 29 matches the season prior to transferring to England, he has blossomed into probably the most feared forwards on the planet, finding the net 17 times in 24 games in 2024/25.
On the time of the transfer, the thrilling Swede was simply 22 years of age. He’s now 25. Coincidentally, Sesko shall be 22 by the point the summer time window arrives. He is additionally performing higher at the same age, suggesting that in a number of years time, he might reside as much as the rave evaluations he is being given.
Described as a “monster” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, this can be a participant who for those who spend money on now, has a excessive likelihood of turning into one thing extremely particular.
He is on the level in his profession – as Isak was when Arsenal rejected him – that he is nonetheless studying his craft however he is exhibiting traits that might tick a variety of packing containers for Arteta.
The Slovenian is tall, he is robust and he is probably the most unimaginable strikers of a ball in European soccer. Simply take a look at the aim under.
So, how did Sesko evaluate to Isak at the same age? We have in contrast the Newcastle star’s 2021/22 season with the RB Leipzig striker’s present marketing campaign.
|
Sesko (24/25) vs Isak (21/22) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90 minutes) |
Sesko |
Isak |
|
Targets |
0.61 |
0.25 |
|
Assists |
0.15 |
0.08 |
|
Shot on track % |
55% |
47% |
|
Key passes |
0.53 |
0.84 |
|
Progressive passes |
1.89 |
1.81 |
|
Shot-creating actions |
1.74 |
2.61 |
|
Profitable take-ons |
1.36 |
1.85 |
|
Progressive carries |
1.97 |
2.44 |
|
Aerial duels gained |
2.73 |
1.18 |
|
Stats by way of FBRef. |
||
So, it is an fascinating set of information with Sesko confidently the extra prolific participant once they had been on the similar level of their profession.
Isak does seem like the extra artistic and is prone to beat a person with better regularity however the truth that the Slovenia worldwide is already such a brute within the air and boasts immense physicality, makes him look as if he might be tailored for the Premier League.
He’s little doubt nonetheless extremely uncooked however Arsenal should be taught from their lesson of not advancing with a transfer to signal Newcastle’s star man a number of years in the past. They had been made to pay the worth then and should not cross up on Sesko.
Associated
0 duels won, 0 dribbles, 0 shots: 5/10 Arsenal star dropped a ‘stinker’
Arsenal dropped extra factors within the race for the Premier League title towards Aston Villa.
