Arsenal, one of the top soccer teams in England, is getting ready to make a really big decision. They are choosing between two powerful strikers—Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting Lisbon and Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig. Both players are talented, and Arsenal fans are waiting to see who their club will pick.
Let’s break down what’s happening and why this decision is so important for the team.
Two Different Favorites
People inside the club have different opinions. Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, really likes Gyökeres, who plays in Portugal. On the other hand, Arsenal’s head coach, Mikel Arteta, prefers Šeško, who plays in Germany.
But it’s not as simple as just picking a favorite.
Arsenal actually likes both players a lot. They’ve been smart in how they’ve handled things—they’ve talked to both players’ clubs but haven’t made an official offer yet. This way, Arsenal can try to get a better price for the player they finally decide to buy.
Why Šeško Was First in Line
Last year, Arsenal focused more on Šeško, who is just 22 years old. According to data experts and soccer scouts, his potential is off the charts. In fact, he wasn’t only on Arsenal’s radar—other top teams in Europe also saw Šeško as one of the best young strikers available.
Šeško is tall (6’4″), fast, and really smart with how he moves on the field. In soccer, this type of player is often called a “modern striker” because they can do more than just score goals—they also help create chances for their teammates.
Why Gyökeres Is So Impressive
While Šeško is younger and seen as a future star, Gyökeres, who is 27, has already proven himself in a big way. Since moving to Sporting Lisbon, he’s scored 97 goals in 102 matches. That’s almost one goal every game—an incredible record!
In his last season, he scored 54 goals in 52 matches. That’s not something you see every day. Even world-famous strikers like Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappé don’t always hit those numbers.
What makes Gyökeres stand out is his strength, shooting power, and ability to score with both feet. Arsenal also loves his mental toughness and how calm he is during big moments. Coaches call that “composure,” and it’s something many young players still need to learn.
Time Is Running Out
Arsenal’s pre-season tour is coming up in just two weeks. That’s when they travel and play friendly matches to get ready for the new season. Arsenal knows they need to have a new striker ready before their first Premier League game in August—and that game is a huge one against Manchester United.
That’s why the club is in a hurry now. They can’t wait much longer to decide between Šeško and Gyökeres. It’s time to act.
What Do the Players Want?
It’s also important to know what the players themselves want.
When Gyökeres left Coventry City (a team in England’s second division called the Championship) in 2023, people weren’t sure if he would ever return to English football. His dream has always been to play for one of the best clubs in Europe, like Barcelona. In fact, that was his top choice after he had two amazing seasons in Portugal.
But now, it seems like Arsenal is finally big enough to catch his attention. Sources say Arsenal is the one exception he’s willing to make to return to England.
As for Šeško, he hasn’t been as eager to leave RB Leipzig. His club is sticking to their rule that any team who wants him must pay his €80 million release clause (a special fee that lets a player leave their contract). Arsenal may be hoping that Leipzig will lower the price.
Money Matters
So, which player is cheaper?
Even though Sporting Lisbon (Gyökeres’s team) once promised to sell him for €60 million, they now want more. Still, Arsenal believes Gyökeres will end up costing less than Šeško, and the way the payments would be made also seems easier.
Clubs often spread the payment over a few years, like buying a phone on a monthly plan. Arsenal thinks Sporting will be more flexible on this than Leipzig.
The Missing Piece to Win the Title?
Last season, Arsenal was really close to winning the Premier League. They finished 2nd, just behind Manchester City. Most people at the club agree that the team missed out because they didn’t score enough goals in the biggest matches.
They had a great defense and strong midfield, but they needed one more special striker—a goal machine who can win tough games.
That’s why this decision is so important. Arsenal hopes their next striker can score 20 or more goals in the Premier League alone, which would make them serious title challengers again.
In soccer history, teams that win leagues often have a top goal scorer. For example, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scored 36 goals in the 2022–23 Premier League season, helping his team win the title.
Arsenal wants that kind of firepower up front—and both Šeško and Gyökeres have the potential to be that player.
What Happens Next?
Arsenal is almost ready to make their final choice. It could come down to which club lowers their asking price or who agrees to better contract terms.
No matter what happens, Arsenal fans can be excited. Their team is aiming high and trying to bring in a world-class striker. Whether it’s the younger Šeško with huge potential, or the already-proven Gyökeres, it looks like Arsenal’s attack will be much stronger next season.
And that’s great news—because the race for the 2025–26 Premier League title is going to be more competitive than ever.
