It’s been years since Arsenal fans walked into a summer window with such clarity: we need a striker. Not just a goal-scorer, but a leader, a presence, a player who can turn tight games and fire the club toward silverware. The Gunners came painfully close to glory last season. With a squad built on youth, technique, and tactical identity, the only glaring omission in Mikel Arteta’s finely tuned system is a consistent, elite-level number 9.

Enter Benjamin Šeško and Viktor Gyökeres — two names that have dominated Arsenal Twitter, podcasts, and pub debates. Šeško is the next big thing. Gyökeres is already doing big things. Both are capable of transforming Arsenal’s attack, but the club must make a defining decision. This isn’t just about stats; it’s about timing, identity, and trajectory.

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1. The Candidates – Two Strikers, Two Paths

Benjamin Šeško – Arsenal’s Haaland?

When you see Benjamin Šeško, it’s hard not to think of Erling Haaland. The height, the power, the runs in behind — the similarities are clear. But make no mistake, Šeško is carving his own path. At 22, the Slovenian has already made an impression at RB Leipzig. He scored 14 goals in the Bundesliga last season despite not being a regular starter. That goal-per-minute ratio, combined with his raw athleticism, has made scouts across Europe sit up.

What makes Šeško stand out isn’t just his finishing — it’s his versatility. He can drift wide, drop deep, and link play. He’s a striker with a wide skill set but still refining his tools. There are times when his decision-making lets him down. But that’s youth. And youth can be molded.

Viktor Gyökeres – The Warrior Arsenal Crave

Viktor Gyökeres is the complete package. At 26, he’s not a project — he’s a finished product. 39 goals and 11 assists for Sporting Lisbon in all competitions is no accident. His performances have been about more than goals. Gyökeres holds up play like a veteran, bulldozes through defenders with ease, and presses relentlessly. He leads the line with a warrior’s mindset. He doesn’t need time. He just needs a jersey.

What makes him even more appealing to Arsenal is his selflessness. He brings others into play — wingers love him, midfielders thrive around him, and defenders fear him. He’s not just a striker; he’s an engine room up front.

2. Tactical Fit – Whose Game Matches Arsenal’s DNA?

Arsenal play fast, fluid, and vertical football. The striker is expected to press aggressively, link with wide players, and score from half-chances. Gabriel Jesus does the first two brilliantly — but lacks killer instinct. Eddie Nketiah is a poacher — but struggles in build-up. This is where Šeško and Gyökeres differ.

Šeško fits the mold of a modern hybrid striker. He’s mobile, great at attacking space, and can create chaos in transition. Think of him running onto passes from Ødegaard, or creating space for Martinelli to cut in. But there’s a catch: he’s still developing. In a tight Premier League race, time is luxury Arsenal may not have.

Gyökeres, on the other hand, is ready to plug and play. His strength makes him ideal for dealing with low blocks — something Arsenal struggle with. He can occupy two defenders, hold up play, and still arrive in the box at the right moment. Against teams like Everton or Burnley — where games are decided by fine margins — he’s the type to force the issue.

3. By the Numbers – Data That Matters

4. The Money – Cost vs. Value

Šeško has a reported release clause of £55–60 million. In today’s market, that’s value. For a 22-year-old with his ceiling, it’s arguably a bargain. Clubs like Bayern and Milan are circling, but Arsenal have an edge with their project.

Gyökeres? He’s going to cost. Sporting want the full clause — estimated at £85–100 million. It’s a massive investment. But if he delivers 25+ goals per season and helps win the title? Worth every penny.

5. The Intangibles – Emotion, Leadership, Timing

Football isn’t just numbers. It’s about timing. Emotion. Momentum. Arsenal have waited 20 years to win the league. They don’t want potential. They want results. And that leans in Gyökeres’ favor. He’s built for now. He’s used to pressure. He’s hungry.

Šeško is the future. And it’s a bright one. But Arsenal already have players for the future — Havertz, Saka, Saliba. What they don’t have is a striker for today.

6. Final Verdict – Who Should Arsenal Sign?

Let’s not overcomplicate it. Both are fantastic. Both will succeed. But only one fills Arsenal’s immediate need: Viktor Gyökeres. Sign him. Hand him the No. 9 shirt. Let him lead the line. Let him drag defenders, smash headers, and score the goals that win titles.

Šeško may one day be the better striker. But Gyökeres is the right striker — for now. And for Arsenal, now is everything.