Links between Arsenal and RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko continue to grow stronger, as it now appears that he is keen on a move to North London.
The 21-year-old is one of the best striking prospects in Europe, with 14 goals in 31 Bundesliga games this season, and whilst he may still be somewhat raw, Mikel Arteta is keen to add him to his squad.
Arsenal no longer need a striker who can make an immediate impact given the form of Kai Havertz upfront, but they do need another option in attack and Sesko may be brought in and moulded into a deadly attacker.
There have been comparisons between Sesko and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who also featured for Red Bull Salzburg early on in his career.
With Arsenal set to battle Man City in the Premier League title race again, having a striker who could replicate some of what Haaland brings to his side could give them a massive boost.
What makes Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko similar to Erling Haaland?
Sesko and Haaland are both the same height at 1.95m tall, and both bring brutal physicality in the air.
They both offer more than just the aerial threat associated with a target man in the mould of Olivier Giroud though. Both strikers combine their size with sheer speed, with Sesko recording a higher top speed than any Arsenal player in the Champions League this season.
Both strike the ball with venomous power, and Sesko’s ability to shoot with power on both feet makes him a dangerous threat in front of goal.
He is following a similar path to Haaland, but whilst his goal numbers pale in comparison to the Norweigan, he is certainly on the right track in his development.
Benjamin Sesko compared to Erling Haaland by age 21
Sesko’s first season at Salzburg came when he was 18, and he scored five goals in eight starts from 24 appearances overall.
Haaland also moved to Salzburg when he was 18 in January 2019, but he made just two appearances in the second half of the season. His first full campaign then saw him score 16 goals in 14 games, which earned him a move to Borussia Dortmund as a 19-year-old in January 2020.
Sesko as a 19-year-old became prolific, scoring 16 goals in 23 Austrian Bundesliga starts, which then earned him a move to sister club Leipzig.
At age 20, Sesko enjoyed a productive first season in the Bundesliga, with his 14 goals coming in just 17 Bundesliga starts.
In comparison, Haaland at 20 scored 27 goals in 27 starts for Dortmund, and followed that up with 22 in 21 league starts a year later.
Haaland’s numbers are nearly impossible to match, but Sesko has shown a similar path of development in addition to his playing style.
Whilst Sesko might not hit the ground running immediately should he join Arsenal in the Premier League, the hope is that he can develop his game under Arteta to eventually produce a similar level of output.