Arsenal have finally made ‘contact’ to sign long-term Mikel Arteta transfer target – he’s a striker

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Arsenal have finally made a move to add a forward to Mikel Arteta’s ranks this winter, with the club initiating contact with RB Leipzig over the possibility of signing Benjamin Sesko.

Sesko is enjoying a fruitful season in the Bundesliga, netting eight goals in 17 appearances in the German top flight, and thus he could be the solution to Arsenal’s issues.

The Gunners squad is hanging by a thread due to a series of unrelenting injury issues, and their form has dipped as a result.

Kai Havertz is struggling with the burden of having to play every minute, while the likes of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Martinelli are failing to make a consistent impact on games.

Mikel Arteta provided an update with regard to Arsenal’s transfer exploits in his press conference on Tuesday afternoon, although fan unrest is beginning to surface about the lack of activity.

However, concrete developments have now emerged suggesting that the North Londoners are aggressively looking to enact a deal for Sesko.

Arsenal make contact with RB Leipzig over Benjamin Sesko

In spite of Havertz scoring 13 times across all competitions for Arsenal this season, there is a feeling within the club that a more lethal finisher is required to play up front.

Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with Arsenal, while several other names have been brandished about as potential options.

However, one man has perhaps been the most frequently linked player to the Gunners for some time now.

Benjamin Sesko is a target for Mikel Arteta, and has been since last summer.

Progress on this deal could now finally have been made. Arsenal Insider have spoken to transfer expert Graeme Bailey of TBR Football, who has issued an update in regard to the Gunners’ pursuit of Sesko.

“There is something happening with Arsenal and Sesko – that much we can say,” Graeme said.

“Arsenal have not made a bid, but there has been some contact and I understand it has has been to find out if Leipzig are willing to listen to offers this month or not?

“That means they need to name a price, if they do want to do business. We know a loan deal is not an option, but I am told Arsenal think that a deal might be able to be done.

“Arsenal have a good relationship with Leipzig and now it is Jurgen Klopp playing a central part – RB as organization are discussing the situation.

“Arsenal always made clear, even before injuries to Jesus and Saka, that they would assess the market this month and if a deal was possible for one of their main targets, they would look at it.

“They were never looking at a stop-gap option, they were only looking at players that they had already done work on.”

Reports have previously emerged suggesting that Leipzig would accept a £60 million offer for Sesko in the summer, so in order for them to sanction his departure mid-way through the season, Arsenal would likely have to table a bid north of that figure.

Benjamin Sesko’s statistics compared to Kai Havertz

Arsenal fans likely expect Sesko to immediately usurp Havertz in the pecking order at the Emirates.

However, the data around the Slovenian would indicate that he’s still raw and not necessarily ready to take that mantle imminently.

While Sesko certainly strikes the ball more powerfully and with more authority than Havertz, the two players match up similarly in regard to goal output this term.

That being said, Havertz’ underlying metrics suggest that he’s still superior to his striker counterpart in the realm of finding himself in good goal-scoring positions frequently.

Additionally, with the German managing more key passes per 90 minutes, he contributes to his team’s overall build-up significantly more than Sesko, a facet that Arteta likes in his strikers.