Isak, Gyokeres, Osimhen, Solanke – Who Arsenal should sign amid Benjamin Sesko transfer decision

Arsenal look likely to miss out on Benjamin Sesko this summer, with the Slovenian striker set to sign a new contract at RB Leipzig.

The 21-year-old has garnered interest from clubs across Europe with his goalscoring exploits with the Bundesliga side, notching 18 goals and assisting a further two in all competitions last season. At 6ft 5ins, he cuts a dominant physical presence, and has shown he has the technique to go with it.

football.london understands that the Gunners are searching for a striker this summer as it's believed a clinical frontman is needed in Mikel Arteta's squad. However, Sesko looks set to stay in Germany, and Arsenal will be forced to look elsewhere if they want to make a signing before the start of the 2024/25 season.

But where should they look next? Thankfully, there are plenty of targets the Gunners could move for to add a clinical edge in attack - even if the team scored 91 goals in the Premier League last season.

football.london takes a look below at who the Gunners should sign instead of Sesko...

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Sam Truelove – Content Editor

Benjamin Sesko's decision to stay at RB Leipzig is understandable given his age and need to develop. But it could be a blessing in disguise for Edu as he now turns his attention to alternatives.

For me, the ideal forward signing for Arsenal this window is Alexander Isak but that deal appears unlikely to happen. Another striker who would make his mark if he were to move to Emirates Stadium is Ivan Toney.

The Brentford man is about to enter the final year of his contract and could be available for around £50million. The 28-year-old is a Premier League proven forward and would offer Mikel Arteta's side something slightly different. A clinical and physical frontman who can also drop deep to help with build up play.

Yes, he's perhaps a little older than other targets but at 28 he still has four or five good years ahead of him. He's also previously admitted that he has always admired Arsenal and how passionate Gunners fans are. It could be a transfer which suits all parties.

Lee Wilmot – Head of football

Personally, I didn't see Benjamin Sesko as the right man to lead the line at Arsenal next season. Arsenal did not struggle for goals last season, having netted 91 in the Premier League, but they did lack a focal point somewhat.

If they are to go on and improve and win silverware, a proven Premier League goalscorer is what is missing from the Mikel Arteta jigsaw. As well as perhaps some squad reinforcements across the park.

Dominic Solanke may have the most experience of the names touted, but for me it's Alexander Isak. He is the one that will make Arsenal an even bigger danger next season and beyond.

Isak brings goals, strength, pace and he has plenty of time on his side still too. Arsenal will be very, very strong if they sign him and having seen the Gunners splash out £105million on Declan Rice last summer, they need to go and do the same to prise Isak away from Newcastle this time around.

Jack Flintham – Sports Audience Writer

On the surface, missing out on Sesko appears to be a significant blow but he would have signalled a risk too. His goalscoring was fine for RB Leipzig but expecting him to perhaps become as prolific a striker as Arsenal are requiring was a bit optimistic.

If they have the money to spend, I feel there is a clear candidate who the Gunners should be targeting in the summer and that is Isak. The Newcastle centre-forward has everything you would want in a Premier League striker.

He is quick, strong enough to hold the ball up against domineering centre-backs, tall enough to be a threat in the air and his finishing ability is lethal. The issue for the Gunners is whether Newcastle would agree for their striker to be sold to a Premier League rival.

But, FFP regulations could insist on the Magpies selling and if so, he should be right at the top of the wishlist. Arsenal may have to act quick though to avoid Newcastle tying him down on a better contract.

Joe Doyle – Content Editor

For me, Arsenal should go all out to get Alexander Isak. It may be tough to get it over the line, but he's a Premier League-proven striker approaching his peak years. He has had a couple of injury problems since joining Newcastle, but he's about as close to a sure thing as you're going to get in the transfer market.

While he would be on the upper end of the scale in regards to cost of the targets this summer, the Gunners proved last summer with their move for Declan Rice that if you get the big deals right, they can still prove to be bargains.

Isak has pace, guile, great timing of runs and has honed his finishing ability. If the Gunners are serious about adding a No.9 this summer and have the funds to do it, there's only one real choice.

Oliver Jones – Football Writer

It's not the end of the world that Arsenal have missed out on Benjamin Sesko. At the end of the day, he's not even close to being the most complete striker on the list of candidates they could possibly go after - not at this stage of his career anyway.

For me, the priority should be Alexander Isak. He has everything Arsenal need in a centre forward; pace, passing range, finishing ability, ball carrying, excellent run timing, he can hold the ball up brilliantly. There are two downsides we've been able to see since he joined Newcastle - the first being the price tag.

But once that's out of the way, the second is the injury issues. But if you can keep him fit, something Arsenal have been able to do with their top stars maybe better than anyone else in recent years, then he'd be a serious threat to Manchester City's dream of a fifth-consecutive Premier League title.

If not him, then it's Viktor Gyokeres. Goals, goals, goals is what he brings you and it's what they need to catch up to Erling Haaland's robotic goal-scoring nature.

Jake Stokes – Sports Audience Writer

Benjamin Sesko would've been a good signing for Arsenal so it's a shame they missed out. For me, though, Alexander Isak should've always been the Gunners' priority this summer.

He's the complete striker with all the tools to lead Mikel Arteta's frontline. The Newcastle United ace is technically brilliant, a great ball-carrier, smart in and out of possession, a willing runner and, most importantly, a superb finisher.

Time and time again last season, Isak proved to be a cut above the rest. Whether the Swede's dropping deep to receive the ball and link play, wrestling with centre-halves or running into the channels in behind, he always remains composed.

More excitingly, he looks set to only get better and better. It's also worth noting that because he's so good at operating in the left channel, his arrival wouldn't necessarily block the arrival of a target man in the future.

If Arsenal can't get their hands on Isak then they should go for Dominic Solanke. The Bournemouth striker, who has a few similar qualities, would be a far more sensible signing than either Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen, who are both extortionately priced this summer.

Tom Coley - Central Audience Writer

Not signing Sesko this summer might be somewhat of a blessing in disguise for Arsenal. Whilst he is undoubtedly talented and has great potential, would he really have been a massive, consistent improvement?

He wouldn't necessarily have been the relief from playing Kai Havertz up front regularly that Arteta is looking for. Perhaps in a year or so's time he will be that man, but right now it looked a bit of a risk.

Solanke or Isak are the types of player that would help close the gap more immediately. Sesko is the sort of deal that Arsenal might have made a few years ago when they were in transition, now they're almost there.

Isak is the dream, in truth, but Solanke feels more likely. Toney might not be the guy they're after for the price and style but as a player he is certainly a good choice. He could be the point of difference.

Watkins is another that jumps out as Premier League proven, a willing channel runner, someone that will stretch defences, can come from wide. Really it's Isak though. He is the complete package already and is going to improve. Break the bank for him.