Arsenal could be about to scrap striker chase to wait for key target until 2025

Bence Bocsák

Updated: 13 Jun 2024 14:52 BST
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Mikel Arteta will be keen to bolster his squad this summer as he looks to continue the club’s impressive rise over the last two years.

One of the final missing pieces in the jigsaw is a No.9. For much of last season, Arteta had used Gabriel Jesus or Kai Havertz upfront to varying degrees of success.

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Last season highlighted how Arteta cannot rely on the duo alone. He needs a world-class finisher and someone capable of scoring 20-plus goals in the league if Arsenal are to make the next step in their evolution.

It’s why Arsenal have made signing a striker their top priority this summer. However, the club has dealt with some setbacks early on in the window.

Benjamin Sesko has been flagged as Arsenal’s top target. However, the Slovenian international has opted to stay at RB Leipzig for the foreseeable future and signed a new long-term contract until 2029.

That means if Arsenal want to bring in a striker this summer, they will have to turn their attention elsewhere.

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But considering how keen Arsenal were on Sesko, Arteta’s side could take a gamble and scrap their striker pursuit to wait for their top target next summer.

© IMAGO - Benjamin Sesko will be staying at RB Leipzig this summer.

According to The Athletic, a future move to the Emirates cannot be ruled out for Sesko. RB Leipzig have always been open to letting their best players go so when the time does come Arsenal have already laid the groundworks and established good relations with the Red Bull side which could give them the ascendancy in the race.

Although, not signing a striker this summer could prove costly for Arsenal’s ambitions. Arteta’s side needs a proven goal-scorer and another season with a top number nine could end up seeing the Gunners regress and once again fail to lift the Premier League title.

That’s the dilemma Arsenal now face in the summer transfer window, with plenty of time left to ponder on the right decision.