The upcoming transfer window is just around the corner and looks set to be a pivotal period for Arsenal.
While finishing second in the league for a third consecutive season is not the desired outcome, Mikel Arteta`s squad has unequivocally demonstrated its position among the country`s elite teams. However, they have also revealed a significant need for more clinical finishing in attack.
Consequently, it`s been widely reported that the club is interested in numerous talented strikers in recent months, with Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko being two of the most frequently mentioned names.
However, while bringing in either player would undoubtedly improve the Gunners` attack, recent reports link them to a player who could be an even better acquisition than both Sesko and Gyokeres.
Arsenal`s Sesko & Gyokeres alternative
Before delving into the primary target, it`s worth acknowledging other centre-forwards who have been linked with a move to Arsenal recently, such as Julian Alvarez and Joao Pedro.
Julian Alvarez has been quite strongly linked with the North London club lately. Although signing him from Atlético Madrid just a year after he joined them would be challenging, it`s reportedly considered a worthwhile effort, especially given his output of 29 goals and seven assists in 54 games this season.
On the other hand, Joao Pedro could potentially be available for around £100m. While he possesses undeniable talent, this valuation seems somewhat high, particularly as he has scored just ten goals and provided seven assists in 30 appearances this season.
In summary, the Brazilian forward, Joao Pedro, doesn`t seem like he would be a superior signing compared to Sesko or Gyokeres. Alexander Isak, however, is a different story.
Yes, according to recent reports, the Newcastle United striker remains a potential target for Arsenal ahead of the summer window.
While the same report suggests a transfer is unlikely due to his current valuation being `north of £100m`, it significantly highlights that the Swedish international is `Arteta`s preferred choice`.
Securing this deal would be complicated and expensive, but given Isak`s extraordinary talent, it`s a pursuit well worth committing significant resources to, especially as he would represent a better signing than either Sesko or Gyokeres.
Why Isak would be a better signing than Sesko & Gyokeres
Let`s begin with the most straightforward and compelling reason why Isak would be a far better acquisition than Sesko: his statistical output.
For instance, in just 42 appearances for Newcastle this season, accumulating 3324 minutes on the pitch, the 25-year-old, labelled a “bagsman”, has scored 27 goals and provided six assists.
This equates to an impressive average of contributing to a goal every 1.27 games, or roughly every 100.72 minutes.
| Isak vs Sesko | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | Isak | Sesko |
| Appearances | 42 | 45 |
| Minutes | 3324` | 3258` |
| Goals | 27 | 21 |
| Assists | 6 | 6 |
| Goal Involvements per Match | 0.78 | 0.6 |
| Minutes per Goal Involvement | 100.72` | 120.66` |
In comparison, the RB Leipzig forward has scored 21 goals and provided six assists in 45 appearances, totalling 3258 minutes this season. This represents a respectable return, but a less impactful average of a goal involvement every 1.66 games or every 120.66 minutes.
While this might be a simplified comparison, a striker`s most critical measure is their direct contribution to goals. On this front, the former Real Sociedad player has a clear advantage over the Slovenian.
However, the situation becomes more nuanced when evaluating Gyokeres. Based purely on his remarkable tally of 54 goals and 13 assists in 52 appearances, his statistics alone would suggest he is the ideal goalscorer to bring into the club this summer.
Yet, this statistical dominance isn`t the only factor. A key consideration is that the former Coventry City standout has no prior experience playing football in one of Europe`s top five leagues.
