Why Arsenal Want Benjamin Sesko So Badly – And What Makes Him Their Potential Haaland

Arsenal have made a bold move. The Gunners have now opened talks with German club RB Leipzig to try and bring Benjamin Sesko to North London. But who is this young man that has caught Mikel Arteta’s attention? Why are Arsenal fans buzzing with hope? Why is Sesko being compared to the terrifying goal machine, Erling Haaland? And most importantly – can he be the striker Arsenal have been searching for?

Let’s dive deep into why this 22-year-old Slovenian striker is creating shockwaves in the transfer market and what his arrival could mean for the red half of North London.

Arsenal are not just guessing here. They’ve been watching Sesko for a long time. Even before he moved to RB Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg, scouts had already marked him as a player to monitor closely. Now, after two seasons in the Bundesliga, the Gunners have decided it’s time to act. According to Sky Sports Germany, the two clubs are already in discussions over the financial details of a possible transfer. That’s how serious this is.

Now, when people mention “Sesko,” the first thing that often comes to mind is “Isn’t that the guy they say plays like Haaland?” Yes, that’s the one. And there’s a good reason for the comparison.

At 6ft 4in, Benjamin Sesko is a physical giant just like Haaland. He’s tall, fast, powerful, and deadly in front of goal. In fact, he’s so quick that last season in the Bundesliga, he clocked a top speed of 35.69 km/h. That’s faster than nearly every Arsenal attacker – except Gabriel Martinelli. For a guy that tall, that kind of speed is freakish.

And Arsenal fans know this: speed and power is exactly what this team needs in its attack. Kai Havertz, who played as a false nine last season, has many strengths. He’s elegant on the ball, has intelligent movement, and brings others into play. But speed? Not his thing. Havertz’s top speed was just 33.42 km/h – way behind Sesko. Arsenal need someone who can stretch defences. Someone who can make defenders panic when a counterattack starts. Sesko fits the bill.

Now, let’s talk goals. Since joining Leipzig two seasons ago, Sesko has scored 39 goals in 87 games. That’s not Haaland-level, of course, but remember – he’s only just turned 22. And more than just the number of goals, it’s how he scores them that matters.

Sesko is lethal on the counterattack. Leipzig are famous for their lightning-quick breaks, and Sesko has been at the heart of that. He’s scored five fast-break goals in just the last two Bundesliga seasons – only two players in the whole league managed more. One of the most eye-catching examples came in May, when he embarrassed Bayern Munich’s defence with a brilliant run and finish after sprinting from deep. That moment showed why Arteta sees something special in him. Imagine that kind of weapon unleashed at the Emirates.

But wait – he’s not just a sprinter with a big frame. Sesko has real technical quality. He’s an excellent dribbler. Despite his size, he can glide past defenders in tight spaces and explode forward. In fact, his dribbling stats back it up – he averaged 1.46 successful take-ons per 90 minutes last season. That’s the best among out-and-out strikers in the Bundesliga. Arsenal don’t have anyone like that in the No. 9 position right now. Gabriel Jesus has that kind of footwork, but he lacks the same physical presence and raw speed.

And if you love spectacular goals, Sesko is your guy.

His goal against Bayern wasn’t even the best one he scored last season. That honour probably belongs to his thunderbolt against Werder Bremen in January. A 25-yard missile, hit with his right foot, rocketing into the top corner at an insane speed of 126.43 km/h. That ball was a blur. It wasn’t just hit hard – it was hit beautifully. The curl, the precision, the timing – everything was perfect.

And he’s not a one-footed wonder either. In a Nations League match against Sweden, he scored a stunning volley with his *left* foot that had fans and pundits comparing it to Marco van Basten’s legendary strike. The kid can finish – with both feet, from any angle, at any distance.Of course, not everything is perfect. There are concerns.

For example, his expected goals  per shot is lower than both Haaland and Havertz. That suggests he often takes shots from difficult positions. Some might say he’s too ambitious. But let’s be honest – how many times have we seen Arsenal try to walk the ball into the net? Maybe having someone who’s not afraid to shoot on sight is exactly what this team needs.

Let’s not forget another massive advantage he brings – his heading ability. With his height and basketball background, Sesko is a monster in the air. He’s scored eight headers  in the last two Bundesliga seasons – one of the top aerial scorers in Germany. Arsenal are already one of the most dangerous teams from set-pieces. Adding Sesko to a mix that includes Rice, Saliba, and Gabriel would make corners and free-kicks a nightmare for opponents.

And speaking of basketball – yes, Sesko played the sport seriously as a teen. That background has helped him develop an insane vertical leap. His timing and control in the air is elite. During a game against Frankfurt, he leaped above the goalkeeper’s hand to nod home a rebound. Not many strikers have that kind of athleticism.

Despite all these exciting traits, it’s important to remember: Sesko is still a work in progress. He’s raw in some areas. His goals sometimes come in streaks rather than consistently every game. But that’s normal for a player of his age. What matters more is this: the potential is enormous.

Sesko has already played over 250 games for club and country. That’s impressive for someone who just turned 22. He’s been to the Champions League, he’s led the line for his country, and he’s scored double figures in goals for five seasons in a row. And perhaps best of all – he’s been injury-free. In this modern game, that kind of durability is gold.

Yes, he’s not as established as some other big-name strikers Arsenal could go for. But sometimes, taking a risk is necessary to find the next superstar. Look at what Haaland has become. People were skeptical when he moved to Dortmund. Now look at him.

Sesko followed Haaland’s path. Red Bull Salzburg. Bundesliga. Unreal speed and power. Both of them seem cut from the same cloth. And just like Haaland, Sesko is waiting for his chance to explode on the Premier League stage.

For Arsenal, the message is clear: if you want to take the next step and go toe-to-toe with Manchester City, you need a striker who can match them in intensity, power, and presence. Havertz is a good option. Jesus, when fit, can be electric. But Sesko could be the future.

He offers something Arsenal doesn’t have. A new kind of striker. One who can run like Martinelli, leap like a basketballer, strike the ball like a cannon, and bully defenders like Haaland. The Gunners are building something special under Mikel Arteta – and Benjamin Sesko might just be the final piece of that puzzle. Will the deal go through? Can Arsenal convince Leipzig to sell? Will Sesko be willing to take on the pressure of the Premier League at such a young age? All those answers will come soon.

But for now, one thing is clear: Benjamin Sesko is not just another name on the transfer list. He is a *statement of intent. Arsenal are not playing around anymore. They’re aiming for the top. And they believe that Benjamin Sesko could be the striker to take them there.