Injuries and a lack of clinical finishing in front of goal have been two major problems for Arsenal this season. This is part of the reason why Arsenal’s lack of activity in the January window was so frustrating. Kai Havertz is playing fairly well, but it is clear that the Gunners need another striker. A striker who is more clinical than Kai Havertz would help the club greatly. This is even more true given Gabriel Jesus’s persistent injury problems. However, the question is, who is the right striker for Arsenal?
There are many options, ranging from Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko to Ollie Watkins and Viktor Gyokeres. All of them have various strengths and weaknesses. Without further ado, let’s discuss who is the correct striker for Arsenal at this stage.
The Right Striker for Arsenal Has to Be the Right Price
Naturally, it is important to assess the transfer value of each transfer target. One statement that Arsenal made during the January transfer window is that they didn’t want to overpay for players in January. This is frustrating considering the overall lack of activity, but it makes sense overall.
One name that many Arsenal fans have discussed is Alexander Isak. Isak signed for Newcastle United in 2022 for 63 million pounds. Isak has played incredibly well in the 2024-25 season, with 24 goal contributions in 28 appearances. However, his current market value of 150 million pounds means he isn’t a viable option for Arsenal. It is hard to imagine the club spending that much money on a striker.
Benjamin Sesko is another striker target and one Arsenal tried to sign in January. Sesko has 19 goal contributions in 30 appearances this season. Sesko’s current value is about 60 million pounds. This is far more reasonable and makes him a more viable option in the summer.
Ollie Watkins would also likely improve Arsenal. However, reports indicate that Villa want in excess of 80 million pounds for Watkins. This is far too much for him and it seems unlikely the two clubs will agree on a transfer in the summer.
Viktor Gyokeres continues to excel for Sporting Club de Portugal. There are even posters of him due to his quality and popularity. This season, Gyokeres has 41 goal contributions in 35 appearances. This includes six goals in the Champions League. Gyokeres’ current market value is 75 million pounds. He would be great value for this price for Arsenal.
In terms of the price tag, Gyokeres seems like the ideal option.
The Amount of High-Level Experiences Differs Among These Players
It is also fair to point out that not all of these players have the same amount of experience at the highest level. Isak and Watkins are regular starters for established English Premier League clubs. Meanwhile, Sesko regularly starts for RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga, another top-five league in Europe.
On the other hand, Viktor Gyokeres plays in the Liga Portugal for Sporting. The Liga Portugal is a good league and ranks seventh among clubs in UEFA coefficient. However, it is not quite on the level as top-five leagues such as the English Premier League or the German Bundesliga. Some express concerns about Viktor Gyokeres’ ability to adapt to a top-five league, given this fact.
Gyokeres did play for Brighton and Hove Albion earlier in his career, but never played in the Premier League for the club. It often takes players some time to adapt to the Premier League. This is largely due to the league’s speed, physicality, and technical level. Given Gyokeres’ ability, it is likely he could adapt to the Premier League. Nevertheless, it makes sense to consider this when evaluating the striker options.
Age Is Another Factor to Consider When Discussing the Right Striker for Arsenal
Considering that Arsenal will want to sign a striker for the long term, it is important to evaluate the ages of the players being discussed. Gyokeres is 26 years old, Watkins is 29, Isak is 25, and Sesko is 21. Gyokeres, Sesko, and Watkins are all in their primes as players while Sesko is still quite young and could have more room to grow.
Watkins’ age is one of the reasons Arsenal didn’t pursue him further, according to reports. This isn’t too surprising, given that Arsenal have often signed younger players under Mikel Arteta. Isak and Gyokeres are likely to be very good for quite some time, while Watkins could decline in the next three to five years. Meanwhile, Sesko could develop into a very good player for the next decade.
If Arsenal want a player with the most room to grow, then Benjamin Sesko is the right choice. However, if they want the best player right now, Viktor Gyokeres appears to be the correct choice. It will be interesting to see the club’s thought process. However, Gyokeres may have the edge in this area.
They Have Different Strengths and Weaknesses That Must Be Discussed When Thinking about the Right Striker for Arsenal
Of course, it is crucial to evaluate what each player brings to the table on the pitch. Each of them have different strengths and weaknesses. In terms of Viktor Gyokeres, he is quite a well-rounded player. Gyokeres has excellent movement, clinical finishing, and quite a bit of pace. His passing and position is also excellent.
However, Gyokeres doesn’t contribute that much defensively. This could be an issue for Arsenal. Arteta prefers his attacking players to contribute defensively, as well. Perhaps he could make an exception for Gyokeres, but that may not be the case.
Ollie Watkins is a good finisher, heads the ball well, and knows how to make a decisive key pass. However, like Gyokeres, Watkins doesn’t provide that much defensively. Arteta would likely want Watkins to press more effectively and help to shut down the opposing team.
Alexander Isak is very good at finishing, makes key passes, and can hold onto the ball well in his hold-up play. Additionally, his dribbling and long shots are strengths. However, Isak tends to struggle in aerial duels and doesn’t provide that much defensively, either.
Benjamin Sesko is a great finisher and can score effectively with his head. He knows how to use his size and strength to his advantage in the air. However, his passing is a bit lacking and he has shown some discipline issues in the past.
All of these players could be good options, but each has strengths and weaknesses.
Who Is the Best Choice?
It is difficult to say who is the best choice, since there are many factors to consider. However, this evaluation gives Gyokeres a slight edge in terms of options for Arsenal. He would greatly improve the club. Check back soon for more Arsenal content.