How Arsenal still privately feel about Benjamin Sesko as Andrea Berta works to close striker transfer

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One factor has driven Arsenal closer to Viktor Gyokeres than Benjamin Sesko, sources close to Arsenal Insider understand.

At long last, it appears that Mikel Arteta’s demand for a striker signing will be answered. 

Andrea Berta has been in talks with Gyokeres to grant the 27-year-old the opportunity he’s desperate for at Arsenal. 

Gyokeres wants to leave Sporting CP and is willing to go to dramatic measures to make the move to N5, but the Gunners’ feelings haven’t always been mutual. 

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Arsenal’s internal feelings about Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres

There was a point, only a few weeks ago, that Benjamin Sesko was Arsenal’s preference. 

Arteta is infatuated by Sesko; however, a deal for the Slovenian is proving to be difficult to pull off. 

Arsenal’s talks with Sesko have stalled, as RB Leipzig’s demands are seen as too steep in relation to where the 22-year-old is in his career. 

It’s not, however, just the finances of the deal that have pushed Arsenal back.

To get some insight into how Arsenal feel about Sesko amid advancing talks with Gyokeres, we spoke to Arsenal Insider’s transfer expert, Graeme Bailey.

“Sesko was the favourite for a long time, Arsenal have done so much work on this kid, they absolutely love him. Leipzig were not willing to bow to certain demands.

“Andrea Berta wasn’t against Sesko in any shape or form, he really likes the player and was happy to do it. He was more under the belief that Gyokeres was the right way to go and that deal is going to be slightly easier to do.”

While Sesko is still admired at Arsenal, Gyokeres now has a unanimous vote due to what he’s able to offer Arteta right now. 

“I think they’ve landed on Gyokeres because they’re in ‘win now’ mode. I think Berta’s persuaded the rest of Arsenal staff who are more than happy to go with that. Even though Sesko might have a higher ceiling, Gyokeres is ready now.”

After missing out on the Premier League title in three consecutive seasons, Arsenal’s room for error is shrinking year upon year, with a lot at stake in 2025/26.

Gyokeres will be expected to play a considerable part in Arteta’s dream to secure silverware next season, with the Gunners confident that the Swede could hit the ground running.

“Arsenal are in this to win the title next season, I think that’s what probably edged it to Gyokeres, which one is ready to fire them to the title now? I think Gyokeres just gets the edge in that department.”

How Sesko and Gyokeres’ league scoring form compares

Bailey did acknowledge that, by going with the ready-made option, Arsenal could miss out on what Sesko could become.

“Obviously, Arsenal will be concerned about what Sesko could become. Is he the new Haaland? They might be left to regret this one.”

But, as far as instant results go, there are few strikers in world football as clinical as Gyokeres, whose form over the previous three domestic league seasons blows Sesko out of the water.

In their respective leagues alone, Gyokeres has outscored Sesko by 46 goals since the 2022/23 season, which has led Arsenal to believe that he can arrive ready to fire the Gunners to glory.