The transfer window may not officially open until Friday, but the drama is already sizzling, and Arsenal fans are feeling the heat.
The renowned transfer wizard, Fabrizio Romano, dropped a bombshell today: RB Leipzig’s striking sensation Benjamin Sesko, who had been tantalizingly linked to North London, will be staying put in Germany.
For Mikel Arteta and his crew, this twist is far from the dream scenario, but don’t despair just yet! Arsenal’s sights are now set on another stellar striker, one who has been likened to none other than the legendary Ian Wright.
Arsenal’s exhilarating striker pursuit
According to football.london, Arsenal is now turning their gaze towards a ‘group of high-profile’ number nines, and leading the pack is none other than Ivan Toney.
The Brentford dynamo was the talk of the town for a move to the Emirates in the winter, with whispers of a fee soaring up to £100m. However, following a rather subdued return to the pitch, his price tag has taken a dive.
This has piqued the interest of other suitors, including arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who are reportedly ready to splash £40m this summer.It might not be the blockbuster signing everyone was hoping for, but with Sesko off the cards, investing around £40m in a Premier League-proven striker like Toney, who has been compared to Wright, seems like a masterstroke—especially if it throws a wrench into Tottenham’s plans.
Comparing Toney to Sesko and Wright
But before diving into how Toney stacks up against Sesko, let’s relish the comparisons to Wright. Former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant claimed that Toney “would be like a modern era Ian Wright” in Arteta’s current lineup.
It’s a bold claim, but it holds water. Like Wright, Toney would be making the jump from another London club and joining Arsenal later in his career. Wright was 28 when he joined the Gunners, mirroring Toney’s current age.
Moreover, Wright was a right-footed goal machine, just like Toney, the pride of Northampton.
Putting legendary comparisons aside, how does the 6-foot-1 England international measure up against Sesko?
Considering Toney’s comeback from an eight-month football ban midway through the season, it’s more fitting to compare his output from his last full campaign—2022/23—to Sesko’s performances this year. When we do, missing out on the Slovenian star doesn’t seem so daunting.
In 35 games, the “unplayable” Toney, as Alan Shearer dubbed him, bagged 21 goals and chipped in with five assists, averaging a goal involvement every 1.34 games.
In contrast, Sesko netted 18 goals and provided two assists in 42 games this season, averaging a goal involvement every 2.1 games.
This isn’t to say Sesko won’t surpass Toney in the future—he very well might. But right now, Toney’s solid track record in the Premier League over the past three years suggests he could soar even higher in a more dominant team.
So, while missing out on Sesko is a blow, based on current form, Toney might be the better bet. And those Ian Wright comparisons? They’re just the cherry on top.
