In a surprising revelation that sheds new light on Arsenal's summer transfer dealings, it has emerged that club owner Josh Kroenke privately championed a move for Manchester United's Benjamin Sesko over the eventual signing of Viktor Gyokeres.
The Transfer Tug-of-War
According to reports from The Independent, Kroenke was not involved in the process of appointing sporting director Andrea Berta and consequently pursued his own transfer targets separate from the club's established recruitment structure. The American businessman specifically preferred RB Leipzig's Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko as Arsenal's prime attacking target.
This created an internal debate at the Emirates, with Kroenke pushing for the 22-year-old Sesko while the club's recruitment team ultimately secured their primary target, Swedish international Viktor Gyokeres, from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth £55 million plus add-ons back in July.
How the Summer Unfolded
Despite Kroenke's preferences, Arsenal proceeded with the Gyokeres acquisition, while Sesko shortly thereafter completed a £73 million transfer to rivals Manchester United. The contrasting fortunes of both strikers since their Premier League moves have provided an intriguing subplot to the current season.
Gyokeres has enjoyed a productive start to life in North London, netting six goals in 14 appearances across all competitions for Mikel Arteta's side. His performances have drawn particular praise from the Arsenal manager, who highlighted the striker's impact after a two-goal display against Atletico Madrid last month.
Contrasting Fortunes and Unusual Criticism
Meanwhile, Sesko's early Manchester United career has been less spectacular, with the Slovenian managing just two goals before suffering a knee injury that is expected to sideline him for approximately a month.
Despite his relatively strong start, Gyokeres has faced some unconventional criticism, including being described as 'too heavy' by former Sweden international Stefan Schwarz. The ex-Arsenal midfielder suggested that getting 'a bit lighter' would help the striker, while also acknowledging the adjustment period required for any player adapting to a new club, system, and teammates.
Arteta, however, remains firmly behind his summer signing, recently stating: "All of us appreciate him because he makes us a much better team. I think we've become much more unpredictable. He's so physical, opens the spaces for everyone. The way he presses the ball, holds the ball, it's just phenomenal."
The Spanish manager added that goals were the "icing on the cake" for Gyokeres and expressed confidence that the striker would build momentum as he continues to adapt to English football.
