Arsenal fans know the feeling all too well—coming up short, just inches away from glory.
For the third straight season, Mikel Arteta’s side has finished second in the Premier League, and while the club has made real progress, one thing is still painfully obvious: they need a proper No. 9 to push them over the line.
As the summer transfer window approaches, that missing piece feels more urgent than ever.
And with the Gunners in a solid financial spot under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), they’re preparing to splash serious cash to fix it.
The Dream That Slipped Away: Isak and the Champions League Dilemma
In a perfect world, Arsenal might have had a shot at signing Alexander Isak.
The Swedish striker has been on Arteta’s radar, and after watching him terrorize defences with Newcastle, many thought he’d be a great fit.
But with Newcastle now back in the Champions League, any chance of luring Isak to North London has all but vanished.
Gunners fans still remember that crushing Carabao Cup semi-final loss to the Magpies, so it’s probably for the best that the two sides don’t tangle in the transfer market.
Two Contenders: Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres
With Isak out of reach, Arsenal have turned their full attention to two hot names in the striker market: RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Both bring firepower, youth (at least in Sesko’s case), and different paths to success.
Now comes the big question: who fits better at the Emirates?
Sesko: The Rising Star With a Long-Term Arsenal Link
Sesko has been in Arsenal’s sights for some time now.
The Slovenian striker nearly made the switch last summer, but concerns over playing time held up the deal.
That hesitation didn’t stop him from having a standout season though—26 goals for club and country, and he’s only 21 (turning 22 this week).
His development has been methodical. After moving to Red Bull Salzburg at just 16, Sesko climbed through the ranks, impressing on loan at Liefering, and later stepping up to Salzburg’s first team after Erling Haaland left.
From there, he chose a logical next step: RB Leipzig, where he could grow in a top league and stay in the Red Bull ecosystem.
Consistency in Germany but Limited Champions League Impact
Despite Leipzig struggling in both the Bundesliga and Champions League last season, Sesko held his own.
He netted 21 goals in 45 appearances, including four in Europe’s top competition.
Though his total of six Champions League goals in 28 games doesn’t scream elite, it’s worth noting the quality of the teams he’s played for.
His versatility in front of goal is a real selling point—goals with both feet, headers, and only six of them came from the penalty spot this season.
Add in a total of 90 career goals and 25 assists in 210 games, and you can see why Arsenal are so invested.
Gyokeres: The Late Bloomer With an Explosive Record
On the other side of the debate is Viktor Gyokeres, who has taken Portugal by storm.
After a rollercoaster few years in England—where he failed to make a mark at Brighton and struggled at Swansea—he finally found his stride at Coventry before exploding at Sporting Lisbon.
Since joining Sporting for just £20.2m, Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 games, including a jaw-dropping 54 goals and 13 assists in 52 appearances last season alone.
He also starred in the Champions League, putting three past Manchester City in one game.
Age, Experience, and Questions Over Top League Readiness
At 26 (soon to be 27), Gyokeres is five years older than Sesko.
And while his numbers are undeniably brilliant, some at Arsenal worry about his limited experience in Europe’s top five leagues.
Unlike Sesko, he hasn’t tested himself in Germany, Italy, or Spain, let alone the Premier League.
And then there’s his penalty-heavy stats—20 of his goals last season were from the spot.
That could be seen as a plus since he scored all of them, but it also slightly skews his conversion rate.
Gyokeres did have a rough outing when Sporting lost 5-1 to Arsenal, which raised further questions about whether he can thrive against Premier League defences week in, week out.
What the Numbers Say: Comparing the Two
On raw stats, Gyokeres looks like the better bet—a goal every 79 minutes and a 56% conversion rate, compared to Sesko’s goal every 156 minutes and 47.1% conversion rate.
But context matters. Gyokeres averaged more shots per game (3.9 vs. 2.31) and more touches in the box (9.16 vs. 3.29), suggesting he was a bigger focal point in attack, while Sesko had to work with fewer opportunities in a more competitive league.
Arsenal’s Internal Debate: Value, Potential, and Risk
Internally, the Gunners are split. Some favour Gyokeres’ proven record and physical dominance, while others lean toward Sesko’s age, potential, and long-term upside.
Mail Sport suggests the scales tip slightly in favour of Sesko, especially since Arsenal have already done significant due diligence on him.
Yes, Sesko could cost more (his release clause is said to be £92.5m vs. Gyokeres’ £70m+), but the thinking is that the Slovenian offers more value over time, particularly given his age and adaptability.
Final Verdict: A Huge Summer Decision That Could Define Arsenal’s Season
No matter who they pick, Arsenal are clearly in the market for a serious striker—and not just someone to rotate.
They want a game-changer, someone to help them close the gap on Liverpool and finally turn second place into silverware.
Whether it’s Sesko’s steady rise or Gyokeres’ explosive breakthrough, both have what it takes to lead the line at the Emirates.
Now, it’s up to Mikel Arteta and the recruitment team to make the call that could shape the club’s future.