Andrea Berta did a tremendous job in his first transfer window as Arsenal’s sporting director, but there was one glaring issue.
The eight players Arsenal signed in the summer of 2025 have proven to be crucial to the Gunners’ title charge.
Mikel Arteta’s squad depth is currently setting Arsenal apart from their Premier League rivals, though not every signing has impressed equally.
Viktor Gyokeres is struggling at Arsenal, having scored just three non-penalty goals in his opening 20 Premier League appearances.
While Gyokeres has made an impact in some areas, when it comes to goal scoring, he’s way behind schedule, with eyes on Berta’s decision to recruit the 27-year-old.
Forget Sesko and Gyokeres, why didn’t Andrea Berta sign _________ instead?
Andrea Berta’s two striker options for Arsenal were Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko
Arsenal’s hunt for a new striker simmered down to two options in the summer: Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko.
Berta preferred Gyokeres to Sesko, unlike Josh Kroenke, who favoured the Slovenian, but there’s a far greater issue here.
Both Sesko and Gyokeres have been incredibly underwhelming in the Premier League, scoring seven goals between them, 12 fewer than Erling Haaland alone.
Neither striker has displayed form that suggests they will become a hit at their club, which poses the question of why Berta’s search was reduced to the duo.
Fill in the blank: I feel ______________ about Andrea Berta’s talent ID at Arsenal
Sesko showed impressive form in Germany, but did not particularly blow anyone away with his numbers.
Gyokeres, on the other hand, did produce mind-boggling numbers, but in the Portuguese top-flight, a considerable level below the Premier League.
It would be fascinating to learn why Berta shortlisted the pair, particularly as history tells us that his talent ID in the striker pool is top-notch.
The strikers Andrea Berta has signed in his career show his error was uncharacteristic
While it’s borderline alarming that Berta deemed one of Sesko or Gyokeres suitable for Arsenal, the decision is easier to digest knowing the sporting director’s work was out of character.
You can sign one player from this list in his prime, who are you taking and why?
When it comes to signing strikers, Berta is actually a genius, as Atletico Madrid saw over the years.
From Diego Costa to Antoine Griezmann, the Italian delivered some world-beaters to Atletico, showing that when it comes to recruiting strikers, he’s one of the best.
It makes the future look bright for Arsenal in the position, despite the outcome of the 2025 window being rather underwhelming.
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