Gabriel Jesus injury forces Arsenal to revive transfer interest in ‘outstanding’ striker

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With Arsenal becoming more depleted by the day, the need to add a forward to Mikel Arteta’s ranks this January is getting more desperate.

Gabriel Jesus has been ruled out for several months with a knee injury, after being stretchered off in Sunday afternoon’s clash against Manchester United at the Emirates.

Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a hamstring issue.

This leaves just four senior forwards at Arteta’s disposal, all of whom are suffering from significant dips in form.

Arteta revealed that Arsenal are actively in the market and looking for an addition in his press conference on Tuesday morning, hinting that a signing could be somewhat imminent.

Arsenal revive interest in Benjamin Sesko

Arsenal have struggled to score goals of late, despite creating an abundance of chances.

The Gunners subsequently require a natural goal-scorer who is ruthless with their finishing in the box, and this ought to be the primary attribute Arteta and the recruitment team at the Emirates look for.

Long-term target Benjamin Sesko fits the bill, and reports have emerged indicating that Arsenal retain interest in the Slovenian.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Sesko was sold on Arteta’s project last summer, but opted to remain at RB Leizpig to continue his gradual development.

However, the 21-year-old is now under consideration by the Arsenal hierarchy again, although it remains to be seen as to whether he’d be willing to leave Germany mid-way through the season.

Arsenal offered £47 million for Sesko back in June, and given he’s enjoyed further positive development since that proposal, the fee required for Leipzig to sanction his departure in January would likely be significantly higher.

Sesko is on course to roughly level his goal tally in the Bundesliga from last season, when he netted 14 times, having managed seven accurate strikes this term.

• READ MORE: Three Arsenal transfer targets who could replace Gabriel Jesus after devastating injury update

How would Benjamin Sesko fit in at Arsenal?

Whether Sesko, who has been described by Mark Schwarzer as ‘outstanding’ (via Optus Sport), would usurp first-choice number nine Kai Havertz immediately is unclear.

The German has scored 12 goals across all competitions this season, but has struggled in recent games.

While his Leipzig counterpart may strike the ball more cleanly, the Slovenia international is yet to find the back of the net more consistently.

Havertz is also more involved in the build-up generally, averaging more touches per match and completing more passes.

Regardless, the former Chelsea man needs respite, with his current status as undroppable due to Jesus’ injury not healthy with the extreme fixture schedule that awaits the Gunners.

It’s likely that Sesko would initially arrive at N5 rotating in and out of Arteta’s side with Havertz, with a view to him taking over the number nine shirt in the long-term.