Benjamin Sesko once again proved why he remains one of the most sought-after young strikers in European football. The 21-year-old Slovenian forward was heavily linked with a transfer to Arsenal last summer but instead of making the switch to the Emirates Stadium, he opted to extend his contract at RB Leipzig.
Sesko's Rise to Prominence in the Bundesliga
Still contracted until June 2029 at Red Bull Arena, Sesko has been an integral part of RB Leipzig this campaign. The prodigious attacker has made 20 Bundesliga appearances this season, where he scored nine goals and assisted three times. His contribution to Marco Rose's side is not going unnoticed in the fight for Champions League places as Leipzig sit comfortable in fourth place.
The stellar performances in the German top flight from Sesko have not gone unnoticed, and he has been on the radar of several top European clubs, Arsenal included. Football.london reported last year that the Gunners were keen on his signing, but talks never advanced beyond preliminary discussions. Instead, Sesko decided to sort out his future with Leipzig ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament.
Arsenal's Continued Interest in Sesko
Arsenal have continued to monitor the career developments of Sesko despite missing out on him last summer. Mikel Arteta is keen on strengthening his attacking line, especially with doubts over the long-term future of Eddie Nketiah at the club. Despite no formal offers being made, reports suggest Arsenal could re-enter the fray for Sesko at the end of the current season.
Interestingly, reports claim that he has a 'gentleman's agreement' with RB Leipzig that could see the move across should the right opportunity avail itself. Should Arsenal make an official approach, then that may prove to be just the agreement to decide which direction Sesko's career will take.
Sesko's 100th Career Goal Sends a Statement to Arsenal
At the weekend, Sesko again showed just how talented he is, netting his 100th career goal as RB Leipzig defeated St. Pauli 2-0. It was a classic counter-attacking goal, showing his pace, composure, and clinical finishing ability.
After Leipzig's goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi made a brilliant save, Xavi Simons launched a quick transition play into the opposition half with the ball at his feet. He identified Sesko's intelligent run behind the back of the defensive line and played a perfectly weighted pass. Sesko feinted inside onto his stronger right foot and coolly slotted into the bottom corner where the goalkeeper could not reach.
That was another reminder why Arsenal, and others, will be keeping such a close eye on his progress. Currently, Sesko sits joint-eighth in the Bundesliga golden boot race, with Bayern Munich's Harry Kane leading the standings with 21 goals.
RB Leipzig's Resolve to Hold On to Star Striker
While the Gunners might be well-placed to try their luck again for Sesko this coming summer, RB Leipzig will not let their star go that easily. Head coach Marco Rose recently spoke out about the club's desire to hold onto their talismanic striker.
Rose had ruled out any speculation over the future of Sesko after Leipzig's 2-1 Champions League win over Sporting CP last month. The manager has underlined his importance and made it clear that any transfer will not be approved by Leipzig.
"Benjamin is an important part of our squad: young, talented, and with great potential. We count on him as an important player in our long-term project, and we will not let him go," Rose told reporters.
Arsenal's Transfer Market Strategy: Is Sesko in Their Plans?
This has been the season when questions have been asked about Arsenal's attacking lineup, and with the struggles of an injury-hit Gabriel Jesus and an Eddie Nketiah who has not quite nailed down being a consistent goal threat, the feeling is that Arteta wants a prolific striker to lead the line, providing the firepower to challenge for big titles.
The Gunners have been linked with several strikers, but he remains one of the key ones due to the skillset, age, and potential long-term development. Of course, Arsenal's transfer plans depend on financial flexibility, which will be determined by the sales of fringe players in the squad. A number of players are expected to be offloaded this summer, which may just free up the funds required for a marquee signing.
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How a Sesko transfer might affect Arsenal's squad
If Arsenal were to sign Sesko, his arrival would dramatically change the attacking dynamics of the side. The Slovenian striker has, all in his locker, the blistering pace, strong physique, and finishing prowess that would make him a perfect fit for Arteta's system.
Increased Competition in Attack: Sesko's addition will give some great competition for Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, pushing both of them to raise their level.
Tactical flexibility: This signing would also give Arteta options up top, which would permit rotation between other formations and methods of play-all in all, different. Long-term Investment – At 21, Sesko represents an investment for a long period with returns that will increase many-fold over the years.
Ambitions of the Champions League: A strike of Arsenal's caliber has become important with Sesko being on target, which may very well prove a boost in Arsenal's ambitions, both domestically and on the continental front.
What Next?
In that respect, this coming summer transfer window will, no doubt, have all eyes on Arsenal as to whether they make a concrete move for Benjamin Sesko. RB Leipzig will no doubt fight to keep him, but the lure of Premier League football and the opportunity to play under Mikel Arteta could be tempting for the young striker.
For now, Sesko is keen on finishing the season in style for RB Leipzig, but with Arsenal keeping an eye on the player, this might well be a transfer saga in the coming months. The Gunners will have to move fast to make sure they get one of the brightest and talented young forwards in Europe ahead of other elite clubs across Europe.
Of course, one thing is for sure: Benjamin Sesko's performances are speaking volumes, and it is better heeded by Arsenal.
