Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has chosen the striker that he would like his boyhood club to sign in the upcoming transfer window. The 52-year-old claimed that RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko would be a more suitable option for the Gunners than Sporting CP’s Swedish star Viktor Gyokeres.
Since his €24 million move to Sporting from EFL Championship side Coventry in 2023, Gyokeres has dominated for the Lisbon-based outfit. He has racked up a whopping 97 goals and 28 assists in just 102 appearances for the Leoes, garnering interest from a host of top clubs across Europe.
Sesko has also been a consistent performer over the past two seasons. Catching attention with his aerial prowess and powerful dribbling, he has bagged 39 goals and eight assists in 87 appearances for Leipzig.
When the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka went down injured last season, the lack of depth in the Gunners’ attack was exposed. With Mikel Arteta having to rely on makeshift strikers like Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard, a lot of great chances were wasted by his side.
The primary objective for Arteta in the summer transfer window will likely be to secure the services of a new centre-forward. The choice is likely narrowed down to two options – Sesko and Gyokeres – and Parlour has explained why he would pick the former.
Speaking to Give Me Sport, the 52-year-old said (via JustArsenal):
Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that an agreement for Slovenian forward Benjamin Sesko’s move to Arsenal is further than anticipated.
Multiple reports have claimed that the Gunners have agreed on terms with 21-year-old’s current club, RB Leipzig. However, in his recent YouTube video, Romano debunked the claims, saying (via Give Me Sport):
The 32-year-old added that Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres is still on the Gunners’ target list and remains a realistic option, adding:
Besides Sesko and Gyokeres, Arsenal are looking to seal the signings of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and Rodrygo from Real Madrid.
A Borussia Dortmund fan, Aaryan had his first tryst with football during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Despite his young mind being influenced by Lionel Messi’s exploits, his favorite World Cup moment is Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning free-kick against Spain from the 2018 version. He strongly believes that Jude Bellingham and Florian Wirtz can replicate the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry due to their respective potentials.
Aaryan, who has been on commentary panels for football and cricket tournaments at his university, is a huge admirer of Achraf Hakimi for the Moroccan’s loan stint in Dortmund between 2018 and 2020. His favorite manager is Jurgen Klopp, who impressed him with his excellent tactical nous and benignant man-management skills.
When he is not scouring the internet for unique statistics, Aaryan follows the Indian Super League, the A-League, and the Saudi Pro League among others. He is an avid quizzer and debater, and a trained classical and western musician who likes to rock out for his college band, Euphony, as lead vocalist and guitarist.
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