Arsenal are targeting the WRONG RB Leipzig forward
Cameron Smith
- 28 Nov 2023 15:15 CST
- 4 min read
Arsenal’s pursuit of a new centre-forward has been well-documented in recent weeks, with Mikel Arteta clearly not satisfied by the impact being made by Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.
The former has been Arteta’s preferred striker since his move from Manchester City in 2022, but he recently admitted that scoring goals isn’t one of his main strengths; that’s not something you want your key forward revealing to the public.
Furthermore, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher recently stated on Monday Night Football that Arsenal’s frontline has been “average” so far this season, in comparison to their electric form last campaign.
Therefore, a pursuit of a new centre-forward seems a logical next step as Arteta looks to dethrone Pep Guardiola at the top of the Premier League tree.
Victor Osimhen has previously been linked, but Chelsea are heavily interested in the Napoli man, while Brentford’s Ivan Toney is also seen as a likely target ahead of the January window.
In addition, RB Leipzig wonderkid Benjamin Sesko is also being eyed by Arsenal, as exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers.
Sources have informed us that Sesko’s name has been mentioned during discussions as Arsenal look to identify the perfect new striker for Arteta.
The 20-year-old is one of the most talented young forwards on the planet and given he arrived at Leipzig from RB Salzburg, comparisons have been made with Manchester City star Erling Haaland.
Following his €24 million summer move to the Bundesliga, Sesko has scored six goals in 14 RB Leipzig appearances, but he isn’t first-choice and that’s crucial.
Fellow new signing Lois Openda has been Marco Rose’s go-to man through the middle, and he enhanced his reputation even further with a brace against Man City in Matchday Five of the 2023-24 Champions League group stages.
After netting 11 goals in 19 Leipzig games before travelling to the Etihad Stadium, Openda opened the scoring versus Man City in the 13th minute. After a long ball from ‘keeper Janis Blaswich, Openda pinned and spun Manuel Akanji before racing through on goal and sliding the ball past Stefan Ortega with an effortless left-footed finish.
20 minutes later, Openda made it two as he proved just how devastating he can be on the counter-attack. Just as he’d done to Akanji, the Leipzig man rolled Ruben Dias after a Xavi Simons pass, sprinted through on goal, jinked inside Josko Gvardiol and placed the ball past a helpless Ortega.
RB Leipzig lead Man City 👀
A long ball upfield which Lois Openda latches onto and finishes confidently 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/DI9487l4Li— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 28, 2023
It was a masterful striker display and one that will no doubt have left clubs around Europe ruing the fact they let Leipzig sign him for €38m this summer.
Arsenal should sign Openda
Openda has previously been targeted by Arsenal, with the Gunners keen on landing his services before he joined Leipzig in the summer, while Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked.
The Belgium international caught the Gunners’ eyes during his impressive year at RC Lens last season, in which he scored 21 goals as Franck Haise’s side qualified for the Champions League.
A move one year after joining Leipzig seems fairly implausible, but the exits of Josko Gvardiol, Dominik Szoboszlai and Christopher Nkunku prove they are willing to sell for the right price.
His display against Man City wasn't just a one-off, Openda has been dominated centre-backs for the past year and his predatory instincts would align perfectly with the dynamism of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka on the flanks.
Sesko is a great talent, but Openda is far more proven and would be ready to contribute to Arsenal’s title charge if they are willing to end interest in Sesko and pursue the Belgian instead.
