Benjamin Sesko has scored 39 goals in 87 appearances for RB Leipzig since joining Red Bull Salzburg two years ago. And what qualities will this striker bring to Arsenal?
Sesko's scoring achievement is much more modest than Erling Haaland's, but his figure is almost similar. With a height of 1m95, the 22-year-old player is the ideal striker.
His physique allowed Sesko to play as a target striker, holding the ball and supporting his teammates. He will also be the destination of long passes, crosses and set pieces.
Of course, Arsenal have a player who can take that role, Kai Havertz. However, Sesko's appeal lies in the fact that, like Haaland, he combines those qualities with explosive speed.
Last season in the Bundesliga, Sesko's maximum speed was 35.69 km/h, taking him to 26th place out of 492 players in the tournament. Sesko ranked even higher in the previous campaign, ranking 15th.
Havertz has many strengths but his speed is not one of them. His maximum speed last season was much lower than Sesko's, at 33.42 km/h, ranking 212th out of 574 players in the Premier League.
Only Gabriel Martinelli has reached a higher maximum speed than Sesko among Arsenal players last season. These figures highlight Sesko's speed and the need for Arsenal.
Sesko's speed could stretch and disrupt the opponent's defense. It was also a destructive weapon in counter-attacks and rapid transition, which he demonstrated during his time in Germany.
RB Leipzig is known as one of the most effective counter-attacking teams in the tournament. Their total of 17 goals from counter-attacks since the start of last season is the second highest among Bundesliga teams, behind only Frankfurt. And Sesko played a key role in that achievement.
A total of five goals from counter-attacks in the last two Bundesliga campaigns have helped him finish third in the league, behind his teammate Lois Openda at RB Leipzig and former Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush (6 goals).
The most recent example was in the 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich in May. Sesko accelerated to escape Eric Dier to receive a pass from Xavi Simons. After that, he fired a beautiful long-range shot that defeated goalkeeper Jonas Urbig.
That attack saw the ball go from the edge of the penalty area of RB Leipzig to the Bayern Munich goal in just a few seconds. The 22-year-old's speed and precision could be exploited by Mikel Arteta in a similar style at Arsenal.
Of course, Arsenal are not a counter-attacking team like RB Leipzig. But Arteta has gradually increased his focus on quick counter-attacks throughout his tenure.
Last season, Arsenal scored more goals from counter-attacks faster than in the previous four campaigns. A total of nine goals have left them behind Liverpool and Tottenham in the Premier League. They also recorded the highest number of shots and expected goals from quick counter-attacks under Arteta.
The addition of Sesko could make the Gunners' counter-attacks more dangerous. Despite his tall figure, Sesko is still a weak dribbler with the technique of passing the defender in tight space before accelerating towards the goal.
Sesko's average of 1.46 successful breaks per 90 minutes was actually the highest among Bundesliga strikers last season, thereby highlighting another strong point.
Sesko is still not a complete striker at just 22. Some elements of his playing style are still rudimentary. His goals often come in a batch, not continuously.
But Sesko's age ensures that Arteta will have time to improve his playing style and turn him into the striker they need.
Sesko's potential is huge. He did not have an impressive scoring record like Haaland before moving from Germany to England. Haaland has scored 86 goals in 89 games for Dortmund, while Sesko now has 39 goals in 87 games for RB Leipzig.
But the similarities in style between the two are obvious and even follow similar paths. Remember, Sesko was brought in to replace Haaland at his former club Red Bull Salzburg.
It is noteworthy that at the age of 22, Sesko has accumulated a lot of experience, playing more than 250 times for club and national team.
Sesko has done all of those things in particular, avoiding serious injuries. That perseverance is another factor that is beneficial to him, and a source of encouragement for teams like Arsenal.
