Arsenal's Best Striker Option, Gyokeres or Sesko?

The most anticipated debate among Arsenal fans has finally arrived. They can argue about who the best striker to bring in is. This discussion felt more like a myth in previous seasons as Arsenal showed no interest in acquiring a central striker.

Two names of strikers have narrowed down to Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon) and Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig). They have become the most frequently mentioned figures in transfer news regarding Arsenal. If these are the only options, who is the better choice for "The Gunners"?

Gyokeres, 26 years old, is favored for his experience, maturity, and impressive goal statistics. Sesko is considered more promising due to his quality of play and physical advantages that are already well-developed at the age of 22. The focal point of their debate is maturity versus potential.

At the very least, that simple comparison often appears on social media. Discussions about the two players are often too superficial as they only consider numbers, goal counts, or age, without further context. In fact, the differences in the profiles of Gyokeres and Sesko are very complex when examined more closely.

The label "mature" for Gyokeres comes from his consistency over the past few seasons, especially while with Sporting. He has scored 68 goals in 66 matches in the Primeira Liga since the 2023-24 season. This remarkable figure has made him a magnet in this transfer market.

Sporting coach Rui Borges has no doubt in labeling Gyokeres as the best striker to have ever played in the Portuguese League. "He is a phenomenon. He possesses everything a striker needs, from technical quality, strength, to sharpness," praised Borges, as quoted by The Athletic.

That record is indeed special. However, once again, context is needed to validate it. As context, all those goals were scored in the Portuguese League, which does not even fall into the category of the top five leagues in Europe. At the same time, the English League is touted as the best competition in the world.

The best example in this context is Liverpool striker, Darwin Nunez. He played for the Portuguese team, Benfica, before arriving at Anfield Stadium in the summer of 2022. A season before his transfer, Nunez, who was only 22 years old, managed to score 26 goals in 28 matches in the Primeira Liga.

As a comparison, Nunez's record in the English Premier League over the last three seasons has only reached 25 goals from 95 matches. This does not mean that Gyokeres will necessarily have the same fate as Nunez. However, Nunez's journey can slightly illustrate the difference in levels between the two leagues.

Moreover, Gyokeres has scored many goals from penalties. A total of 12 out of 39 goals in the league this season have been scored from penalty kicks. The ability to take penalties is indeed sometimes important in certain situations, but that is not what Arsenal prioritizes at the moment.

Sesko only scored 13 goals from 33 matches in the German League last season. However, he achieved this in one of the most competitive leagues. Sesko even ranked among the top ten goal scorers in the league, during a period when Leipzig's overall performance was declining compared to previous seasons.

Just like the comparison of the number of goals, the age of both players is also not relevant in determining potential. Sesko is indeed four years younger, but there is no guarantee that he will continue to develop each season. On the other hand, Gyokeres may be the type of striker who matures slowly, similar to Jamie Vardy.

Profile accuracy

It is much more interesting to compare the playing styles of Gyokeres and Sesko with the needs of Arsenal's system. Sesko, for example, often operates in a more central area like a target man. The 1.95-meter tall player could be Arsenal's answer in the penalty box.

Sexto is considered reliable in aerial duels. The tall player has scored eight headed goals since the 2023-24 season. This aerial duel advantage is not possessed by Gyokeres, who has only produced 11 headed goals throughout his career. Gyokeres did not create a single headed goal last season.

Arsenal heavily relies on the flanks for attacking. According to The Athletic, 63 percent of goals in open play are generated through the wings. The team, managed by Mikel Arteta, will create opportunities in the penalty area with the help of the wingers.

This means that "Si Meriam" needs a player in the penalty box who can receive crosses from the wingers. They are looking for a striker who plays more centrally. Sesko is more suitable for this system. Furthermore, 44 percent of Arsenal's goals last season were scored from headers.

Gyokeres is not quite suited to Arsenal's current system, but he could bring a new dimension. The Swedish player often takes and dribbles the ball from the flanks, particularly on the left side. He can create opportunities when facing one-on-one situations during transitions.

That character is not possessed by Arsenal's left winger, Gabriel Martinelli. Gyokeres could also add variation to the wing attack, particularly making "The Gunners" more effective in transition situations. Arsenal often loses momentum during counterattacks.

The choice is in Arteta's hands: does he need players that fit the system or individuals who can add variation to the attack? Arteta has stated that before the season ends, it will be difficult to find the right players. "It is hard to find players who can enhance this squad, especially forwards," he said.

From an investment perspective, Sesko, who is significantly younger than Gyokeres, is certainly a safer option for the club. Moreover, the price of both players is not vastly different, ranging from 60 to 70 million pounds sterling. This business prospect is bolstered by Arteta's long-standing interest in Sesko, which dates back to the previous summer.

So, who is the better option for Arsenal to bring in this summer, Gyokeres or Sesko? The most ideal figure would undoubtedly be Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who has already proven himself in the Premier League. However, that transfer is not realistic due to Isak's high price and Newcastle's significant ambitions after qualifying for the Champions League next season. (AP/REUTERS)