Arsenal, after another season without silverware, have turned their attention to strengthening their squad for next season. Although Mikel Arteta’s side have made steady progress in the Premier League, they have yet to finish the job off in England or Europe. The lack of goals in key games was again exposed, which has sparked internal debates about which piece is missing to make the definitive leap. With the arrival of Andrea Berta as sporting director, the search for a guaranteed centre forward has accelerated. But the consensus does not seem to be complete in the club’s offices.
As reported by Football Insider, Berta is determined to finalise the signing of Viktor Gyokeres, a physical striker who has put up impressive numbers for Sporting CP. Meanwhile, Arteta continues to insist on another profile: Benjamin Sesko, who currently plays for RB Leipzig. The Basque coach prefers an attacker with more mobility and who fits in with his idea of total football. Despite the lack of agreement between the two, talks for Gyokeres are progressing. The aforementioned media report claims that Berta does not intend to wait any longer and wants to close the deal for the Swede before other clubs enter the bidding. The differences in criteria are evident, although the urgency for a new striker is shared.
Andrea Berta is pushing to sign Imposing striker for Arsenal; Mikel Arteta doesn’t want him
In the end, the discussion is not capricious. Arsenal have relied too much on Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard to generate danger. Gabriel Jesus, for all his sacrifice and technique, does not guarantee the goals needed to sustain a long and demanding season. A ‘nine’ who can intimidate the centre-backs and define with forcefulness is a piece that the club has been without for years. Neither Nketiah nor Havertz fit the classic profile of a striker who can make the most of half the ball. That is why Berta’s interest in Gyokeres is not just a question of numbers; it responds to a structural urgency.
The Swede has qualities that could change Arsenal’s attacking front. Power, ability and goalscoring ability. But it is not just a technical question. Betting on a more direct profile like Gyokeres could provide a valuable tactical variant. On days when skills don’t work, having a physically imposing striker can make all the difference. However, Arteta‘s position also makes sense. Sesko fits better in a choral system, where everyone is involved and no one hogs the limelight. He is young, quick, and has already shown in Germany that he knows how to move between the lines.
This difference in approach between Arteta and Berta does not have to be negative. It can enrich the selection process, as long as the club does not get bogged down in half-baked decisions. Sometimes, the key is to find the middle ground. But what is undisputed is that Arsenal need a killer. It is no longer enough to compete; now you have to win. And for that, a goalscorer is needed. Source: Football Insider.
