Arsenal were interested in both Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko in the summer.
It was clear to everyone that the Gunners needed a new striker, and Andrea Berta was tasked with the responsibility of bringing in the best one.
Sesko was a target for Arsenal for over a year before last summer, while Gyokeres made it on their list following Berta’s arrival.
Arsenal chose the Swede in the end, and Mikel Arteta has now explained why.
If you could swap Viktor Gyokeres for Benjamin Sesko right now, would you? If so, why?
Mikel Arteta reveals why he signed Viktor Gyokeres for Arsenal instead of Benjamin Sesko
Arsenal were linked with about a dozen strikers in the summer, but the top two names on their list were Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres.
Berta negotiated both deals simultaneously, and for a long time, everyone believed that Sesko would be the one joining Arsenal.
However, Gyokeres became the chosen one in the end, and many people felt that it was due to the terms of the deal RB Leipzig demanded.
Arsenal manager Arteta has now revealed the real reason why.
When asked for the reason he chose Gyokeres after all the links to Sesko, he replied, as relayed on HaytersTV: “Well, at the end, we have to make a decision, and we believed that Victor was the best one in the scenario that we were in.
“The qualities that we didn’t have in that number nine as well, because we have the situation with Gabby and Kai out for many, many months, and we are very happy to have him.”
When asked what qualities he was looking for, Arteta said: “Well, first of all, goals. Someone that can guarantee you goals.
“We know that word (guarantee) doesn’t exist, but then someone very direct, very powerful, a proper nine who can stretch the pitch, who has the goal between the eyes, and somebody that can stretch the pitch for us a bit more, especially when we have to play against certain opposition.”
If you could go back in time and sign another striker for Arsenal instead of Viktor Gyokeres, who would it be and why?
Arsenal were right to choose Gyokeres over Sesko
Gyokeres has not set the stage on fire since joining Arsenal, but he was the right choice.
The Swede barely had a pre-season, and he had to carry the responsibility of the whole club because Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were both unavailable.
| Games | Goals | Assists | |
| Viktor Gyokeres for Arsenal | 27 | 9 | 1 |
| Benjamin Sesko for Manchester United | 19 | 5 | 1 |
Gyokeres will admit that he should be scoring more goals, but the amount of work he does to help this Arsenal side deserves a lot of praise as well.
Arsenal take on Manchester United in the Premier League next, and Gyokeres and Sesko will come up against each other.
Whoever has the better game will be viewed as the better signing.
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