Victor Gyokeres, Mikel Arteta and Benjamin Sesko (Photo by Gualter Fatia, Alex Pantling, Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been pushing for the club to present plans to sign a “project striker” this January.
The Gunners may have a preference for making big moves in the summer transfer window, when clubs and players tend to be more open to deals.
January may offer some opportunities, though, although sometimes it’s also a matter of urgency to strengthen through injuries, which is Arsenal’s big problem right now.
Gabriel Jesus has just joined Bukayo Saka on the sidelines, and that has apparently led to Arteta pushing for the club to make a major striker signing earlier than originally planned, according to the independent.
It remains to be seen who Arsenal will try or who will be realistically available, but the report mentions RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko as an ideal profilewhile other big names such as Viktor Gyokeres, Randal Kolo Muani and Evan Ferguson have also been eyed by the north London giants.
The transfer of Benjamin Sesko could be a game changer for Arsenal
Sesko makes sense as AFC’s top target, but the Slovenia international could be happy to see out the season with Leipzig as his club are also unlikely to want to sell.
The talented 21-year-old looks ideal for Arsenalhowever, perhaps something can be done before that to ensure there isn’t a huge bidding war for his signature in the summer either.
It’s easy to imagine other big names would also be keen on Sesko, but Arsenal need to make sure they are at the front of the queue.
It may be a bit of a cushion this season, with Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard not performing as well as expected, but it would be foolish for Arsenal to go into next season without an improvement in attack.
If not a striker, a full-back will surely be needed this January to provide adequate cover for Saka, who has been sorely missed.
