Saliba urges Arsenal to END Sesko pursuit

Cameron Smith

17 Feb 2025 06:10 CST
5 min read

Benjamin Sesko, William Saliba, Arsenal — © IMAGO

William Saliba has seemingly urged Arsenal to end their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko by claiming the “best striker in the world” is already at the club.

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Mikel Arteta’s side have been searching for a new centre forward for over 12 months and they are widely expected to secure a big-money signing during the upcoming summer transfer window.

FootballTransfers understands that Sesko remains a key target for the Gunners, while the north London outfit are also interested in Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

However, Saliba believes that Arsenal already have the world’s best number nine in their first-team ranks.

Injuries to Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli forced Arteta to use Leandro Trossard in a false nine role versus Leicester City on Saturday, but the Belgian struggled to impose himself against the centre-back pairing of Wout Faes and Caleb Okoli.

As a result, Arteta turned to his substitutes bench and introduced summer signing Mikel Merino as an emergency centre forward for the final 20 minutes.

The Spain midfielder scored a quickfire brace to earn a vital 2-0 victory for Arsenal and after the match, Saliba replied to Merino’s Instagram post with a comment of: “Best striker in the world.”

Merino now has four goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season, and he could be set for an extended period as Arsenal’s striker amid an injury crisis at the Emirates Stadium.

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A post shared by Mikel Merino (@mikelmerino)

Arsenal to sign a new striker?

Although Saliba has jokingly suggested that Merino is the best centre forward in world football, the Spaniard is unlikely to start next season as Arsenal’s number nine.

The Gunners are expected to finally purchase an out-and-out striker this summer, with Sesko set to leave RB Leipzig after a successful two-year stint in the Bundesliga and Gyokeres potentially close to a Sporting departure.