‘Arsenal urged to consider cut-price duo as Sesko and Gyokeres deals stall’
Arsenal have been urged to look to the Premier League to purchase alternatives to Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko.
Mikel Arteta must strengthen his forward line this summer as the Gunners strive to close the gap between themselves and Premier League champions Liverpool.
The North London club have set their sights on deals for Gyokeres and Sesko, who enjoyed strong seasons with Portuguese champions Sporting and German Bundesliga highfliers Leipzig, respectively.
Gyokeres notched a stunning return of 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions last term, whereas Sesko managed the respectable haul of 21 goals in 45 outings.
Arsenal urged to swoop for Chris Wood or Jean-Philippe Mateta
Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are split over whether to bring Gyokeres or Sesko to Arsenal this summer.
Meanwhile, speaking live on talkSPORT [15 June], Darren Ambrose urged the Gunners to look elsewhere for a new striker: “We’re talking about goal-scorers, what are we looking for if you’re Arsenal? You’re looking for just a superstar that you’re going to pay £100million for?
“This is why my argument for Chris Wood and (Jean-Philippe) Mateta is an argument that would get ridiculed by certain supporters.
“But Chris Wood has scored 34 goals in the last two Premier League seasons, that’s a proven Premier League goal-scorer. So why is that frowned upon?
“If you put him in front of goal, he’s going to score. Yes he’s 33, yes there’s no sell-on value, and I’m not advocating they go and sign Chris Wood, but what are you looking for?
“Are you looking for a Darwin Nunez? A (Rasmus) Hojlund that is a gamble, that £70-80m (signing) to come and fail.
“If you put Chris Wood in the Arsenal side, he gets over 20 goals. He’s an out-and-out goal-scorer.
“If you put Mateta in there, he probably gets 15-20 goals.”
Football Insider verdict
Arteta should favour Mateta move over Wood
If Arsenal fail to sign either Gyokeres or Sesko this summer, and establish concrete interest in Wood and Mateta, they should favour a swoop for the Crystal Palace man.
| Jean-Philippe Mateta stats | Premier League 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 37 |
| Goals | 14 |
| Assists | 2 |
The Nottingham Forest star enjoyed a highly successful Premier League campaign last season, notching 20 goals and three assists in 36 top-flight appearances.
Only Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, and Erling Haaland scored more goals than the New Zealand international in the Premier League last term.
However, as alluded to by Ambrose, Wood’s signature would be a short-term solution for Arsenal, as he turns 34 in December, and is not a sellable asset in the future.
On the other hand, Mateta scored six goals fewer than Wood in the Premier League last season in one more appearance, but he boasts more potential at the age of 27.
After initially struggling to acclimatise to English football after joining Palace, Mateta has hit top form under Oliver Glasner in the last two seasons, and could become even better if he moved to Arsenal.