Embarrassing statistic shows Arsenal dodged a Sesko bullet

Tom Weber

Updated: 23 Sept 2024 15:30 BST
4 min read

Arsenal appear to have dodged a bullet by missing out on Benjamin Sesko in the summer.

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The Slovenia international was Europe's most in-demand young striker after a red-hot end to the 2023/24 campaign. Sesko was heading into Euro 2024 as one of the continent's most in-form strikers.

To the surprise of many at Arsenal, Chelsea and elsewhere, the 21-year-old decided to extend his RB Leipzig contract and get rid of a relatively affordable release clause that had made him a 'market opportunity.'

However, Sesko's form quickly dipped. Unimpressive showings at the Euros have now been followed up with some really poor performances in the Bundesliga.

Sesko struggling for chances

So far this season, Sesko has two goals and two assists in six games to his name. On the face of it, this is far from a bad return. However, a goal and an assist each came in the DFB-Pokal against third-tier Rot-Weiss Essen.

His other goal came in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid, while his other assist came in Leipzig's surprise 3-2 victory over the seemingly unbeatable Bayer Leverkusen.

However, to say that Sesko has been disappointing in the Bundesliga would be an understatement. In each of the first four league outings of this still-young season, the 21-year-old has managed just one shot. Two of these four strikes have been on target but did not result in a goal.

Sesko has massively struggled for chances. Some of it, of course, is down to Leipzig as a team. The Red Bulls are having a tough time breaking down defences this season, with the likes of Xavi Simons and Lois Openda failing to really influence games when up against opponents who sit deep.

Leipzig secured an unimpressive 1-0 over relegation-battlers Bochum on opening day, before the stunning 3-2 victory against Bayer 04, where their opponents' style of play played into their cards. The most recent two games, against Union Berlin and promoted St. Pauli, have ended in 0-0 draws.

Sesko is obviously reliant on his teammates to create chances for him, but his lack of output is also due to the fact that the youngster is not yet a real game-changer. He has all of the raw skills to become one of Europe's most complete strikers, but he still evidently needs to develop.

Ultimately, then, it was a good decision for him and for Arsenal that he decided to stay put. He is simply not ready yet and the Bundesliga is a lot more forgiving than the upper echelons of the Premier League.