Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko - Arsenal first summer transfers decided in £235m verdict

It could be a busy summer transfer window for Arsenal. The Gunners may not have won a trophy during the 2023/24 season but they challenged Manchester City for the Premier League title and more than held their own in the Champions League.

Attention has now turned to improving the Gunners squad, with sporting director Edu Gaspar already hard at work. While there is likely to be several outgoings, it's possible Arsenal sign at least one goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and striker this window.

football.london understands Arsenal are extremely keen to strengthen the frontline, with the club's decision makers acknowledging that they need a killer in the final third to get them over the line to win the biggest trophies. Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee are among the players being monitored.

In midfield, Douglas Luiz and Bruno Guimaraes are both players who have been heavily linked, although the pair are likely to cost upwards of £60million. Martin Zubimendi is another who has caught the eye, with the 25-year-old having a £52million release clause in his Real Sociedad contract.

In defence Ajax's Jorrel Hato is a player the Gunners have been tracking since before January. The Dutch international signed a contract extension with Ajax, but Arsenal are still interested. Marc Guehi is also a player who has been looked at.

Some areas need prioritising over others and football.london's Arsenal writers have had their say on who should be signed first. Do you agree? Let us know in the comments!

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Sam Truelove - Content Editor

Alexander Isak is the dream signing. The Newcastle man is world class but it's going to take a lot of money to prize him away from St James’ Park. It has been reported this week that the Magpies would want around £180million for their star player.

This may put Arsenal off as murmurings coming out of the club thus far indicate that Edu would rather spread the money around instead of spending it all on one player, such as with Declan Rice last summer.

For me, all signs point to Benjamin Sesko. The RB Leipzig striker looks the real deal and would offer clinical finishing to the Gunners' attack. At the age of 20 he still has plenty of time to improve and there's not many better coaches to learn from than Mikel Arteta.

The Slovenian scored 18 goals in 42 appearances in the 2023/24 season, although he rarely completed 90 minutes, either starting from the bench and coming on or starting the game and being brought off. Sesko reportedly has a £55million release clause in his contract and will not only be one for the present, but also one for the future.

Isaac Seelochan - Football Writer

Arsenal excelled in almost every position last season but the one area that let them down is in attack.

The Gunners attacking options are nowhere near the level of City. There is a reason why Gabriel Jesus was sold by the champions with his goalscoring output not good enough for title winners.

Alexander Isak would be the dream signing with the Newcastle striker having Premier League experience and aged 24, he is only likely to get better. The Swedish forward is unlikely to get anywhere near the numbers Erling Haaland gets for City but that may not matter.

Mikel Arteta’s side ended the season just two points behind Guardiola's record-breaking team. A striker of Isak’s ability could make the difference.

Josh Holland - Football Writer

The obvious answer would be Alexander Isak but I think Arsenal should move quickly for Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy.

In the Bundesliga, the 28-year-old scored 28 goals in 28 appearances this season and another two in the DFB Pokal. He reportedly has a bargain release clause of around £15million that becomes active this summer and he ticks all the boxes.

A presence in the box and brilliant eye for goal, I’m surprised he’s not being lined-up by other clubs. He may lack any Premier League experience but a talisman that offers something different to what Mikel Arteta already has at his disposal.

Coming in for less than £20million would be incredibly smart business by Arsenal with other areas desperate for reinforcements too.

Mark Wakefield - Football Writer

Arsenal have been linked with a move for a new striker ever since last summer.

Had Mikel Arteta guided the Gunners to either the Premier League title or Champions League the decision to stick with the current options would have been justified. However, after a trophyless campaign, attention will turn to where the squad can be improved.

As a result, a striker is deemed the area of the squad that could see reinforcements. Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are just two names to be linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Isak has proven Premier League experience under his belt, while Sesko has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of Erling Haaland following his impressive form at Red Bull Salzburg before joining RB Leipzig. Personally, I think if the Gunners need a new striker then Isak with his two years of top-flight experience could be the difference for the club going into next season.

Joe Doyle - Content Editor

A new striker looks the most likely area for Arsenal to get a marquee signing this year unless Thomas Partey leaves, and there are some great options out there.

Alexander Isak is probably the most talented of the names they've been linked with, but with him being Newcastle's star striker at the moment, I can't see him coming for any less than £100million.

With his age profile, that's not as big a fee as it could be. But it is a lot of money to spend on a striker after a season in which you've just scored the most league goals in club history.

I think the real need for the Gunners is to add depth around the squad, and so if they can get Benjamin Sesko for around half that fee, I think that's the realistic one to move for. It would mean they could target funds elsewhere - perhaps a Martin Zubimendi - to really aid them in a season featuring more games than ever.