Arsenal transfer news: Benjamin Sesko, Ederson links

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It was interesting to watch the highlights of the Leipzig-Juventus match in the Champions League last week. It was the story of two strikers, Benjamin Sesko and Dusan Vlahovicwho have been heavily linked with Arsenal in the past.

Both were impressive, scoring twice, although it was Vlahovic who eventually stepped up as Francisco Conceicao scored the big late winner to give Juventus a thrilling 3-2 win in Germany.

Although the Vlahovic ship has sailed as far as Arsenal are concerned, I’m keeping an eye on Sesko this season as I still think there’s a chance Arsenal will see their interest in the Slovenia international rekindled at some point moment, maybe even next summer.

Obviously there were a lot of them desire to bring him during the last transfer windowbut the 21-year-old decided to stay and sign a new contract with Leipzig.

This decision was a disappointment for Arsenal, but I don’t think it was a decision that burned any bridges between the club and the striker in terms of a move in the future.

A lot of the groundwork was done before the summer window and I don’t think there was any kind of breakdown in the relationship behind the scenes just because Sesko chose to stay.

I’m sure Arsenal understood their decision at the time because it honestly made a lot of sense. From a footballing and developmental point of view, staying with Leipzig was the right call.

See how things went. Sesko is playing regularly, scoring goals and developing very well. Had he moved to Arsenal, he would have been playing as a back-up to Kai Havertz and probably had to settle for getting some minutes here and there.

But at some point he will decide the time is right to step up and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Arsenal were to replace him again.

Arsenal still want to sign a striker. But they don’t want to sign one just for the sake of it. That’s why they kept the power dry last summer after Sesko said no earlier in the window.

They were confident they had enough firepower to see them through the season and the form Havertz is showing right now shows you why.

But I think they will look to add another leader at the end of the season and I wouldn’t rule out Sesko being a name at the top of their list again.

Ederson’s star is on the rise with Atalanta and Arsenal got the chance to get a first-hand look at his talent when the two teams met in the Champions League a few weeks ago.

The Brazilian is linked with several clubs at the moment, including Arsenaland this is no surprise given the way he has performed in Italy with Gian Piero Gasperini.

Arsenal are looking for midfield options ahead of the summer, with the future of Jorginho and Thomas Partey is very much in doubt right now and I’m sure of it Ederson’s name would have been mentioned given the way he’s been lately.

But I can’t say for sure if he’s a player they’re seriously considering as an option right now. It’s too early for that at the moment. I sure haven’t heard anything myself.

There will be plenty of midfielders linked with Arsenal in the coming months, that’s a fact. But they’ll bide their time and make sure that when they do make a move for someone, it’s someone they feel is a perfect fit for the project.

Ederson is clearly a very accomplished player, he has shown that with Atalanta and now he is also starting to get opportunities with Brazil.

However, whether this is enough to convince Arsenal to join the race for him, we will have to wait and see.

Kieran Tierney continues to work his way back to fitness after the horrific hamstring injury he suffered at the Euros this summer while playing for Scotland.

If this injury hadn’t happened, I’m sure Tierney would be playing for another club right now. That was certainly the plan after his loan spell with Real Sociedad last season.

But injury ended any chance of a move and the focus is now on the left-back making a full recovery before the January window.

It is no longer in Mikel Arteta’s plans. This has been clear for a long time and Tierney accepts it.

There is no animosity there. He knows that the club has moved on and that his qualities as a left-back are not what Arsenal need in the system they play.

He has been included in Arsenal’s Premier League squad for the season so he can play once fit, but I find it hard to see that happening.

He will be hoping to move in January, probably on loan, so he can have a few minutes before the summer when he can try and secure a permanent move away from North London.

Honestly, the whole Saka/Palmer/Foden debate just makes me laugh.

Why is it that every time one of them does something decent, we have to spend the next 24-48 hours arguing about who’s better?

All three are fantastic players in their own right. Isn’t that enough?

I’ve obviously seen how Saka arrived at Arsenal. I saw him in the juniors and I saw him make the breakthrough to the seniors.

I was in Germany when he scored his first goal for Arsenal against Frankfurt in the Europa League and was one of the journalists who interviewed him immediately after the game.

It was obvious to me then that Arsenal had a player who was a bit different to most of the rest you see coming through the ranks.

I just had a feeling he would make a huge impact on the team, but I never could have predicted what he has accomplished since then.

His record speaks for itself and the way he has started this season, despite having hardly any time off, shows that he is getting better and better.

He was phenomenal again on Saturday. He just steps up and delivers again and again. He is so reliable, so consistent and so precise with what he does.

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He won’t care what is said off the pitch. Whether people think he’s “world class” or not won’t bother him one bit.

And that’s what’s great about him. He is so balanced, so mature. All he cares about is performing week in and week out at Arsenal.

He won’t listen to any comparisons between himself and other players and use that as motivation. The only thing that motivates him is to improve and try to win trophies.

He is the best player on the team. Someone who will win you a game on offense but also work as hard as anyone on defense. This is what makes him stand out from the pack.

It’s been a privilege to see her progression so far and I can’t wait to see what’s to come.