Why Ferran Torres from Barcelona is a More Suitable Addition for Arsenal Compared to Benjamin Sesko

As the commencement of the 2025/26 season approaches, Arsenal remains in pursuit of a striker who can consistently find the back of the net.

The Gunners have been in need of a player whose primary focus is scoring goals. However, they have often opted for players who can provide additional quality in passing and playmaking. This decision has regrettably cost them in high-stakes matches, contributing to the north London side dropping points in encounters that they should have at least drawn, if not won.

The First Signing of Mikel Arteta Must Be a Striker

If Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal board are serious about making their first team genuine contenders for the Premier League title and other trophies next season, signing a reputable striker should be their top priority this summer.

It appears there’s a strong likelihood that RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko might be heading to the Emirates Stadium, though he could command a fee as hefty as £70 million if the Bundesliga club agrees to his departure.

Arsenal’s interest in Sesko is completely justified.

At 24, Sesko scored an impressive 17 goals and provided six assists in a Leipzig side that could only finish seventh in the German Bundesliga last season, missing out on European competition entirely.

Consequently, it has certainly become more challenging for Leipzig to retain their star player, though it’s not entirely out of the question, especially if Arsenal decides to explore other options.

Ferran Torres Brings Premier League Experience

One candidate with Premier League experience who had a remarkable 2024/25 season that has flown under the radar is Barcelona’s Ferran Torres.

Familiar with the style that Arteta employs at Arsenal, the 25-year-old Spaniard would likely fit in seamlessly alongside talents like Mikel Merino, David Raya, and even the manager himself.

While it can be argued that he doesn’t fit the target-man profile of Sesko, as Erling Haaland has demonstrated at Manchester City, having a central striker who serves as a focal point can be essential, even for teams that don’t typically adopt a more direct approach.

Arsenal, historically, has benefited from attackers who are more about agility and finesse, possessing a keen eye for goal—qualities that have been sorely lacking recently.

Torres netted 16 goals and contributed six assists in 34 matches during the 2024/25 campaign, finally stepping out of Robert Lewandowski’s shadow. His versatility and mobility make him a more dynamic option than the Polish striker, needing only a bit of consistent game time to showcase his ability to lead the line for Barcelona.

With a remarkable 88.9% shooting accuracy in the Copa del Rey and a 50% conversion rate, Torres boasts exceptional statistics; if he’s relegated to a secondary role based on these metrics, he must seriously reconsider his career ambitions.

Kai Havertz (11 goals and three assists in 28 matches), Gabriel Martinelli (eight goals and four assists in 38 appearances), and Leandro Trossard (eight goals and seven assists in 42 games) provided Arsenal’s best goal-scoring output during the 2024/25 season, highlighting the ongoing issues faced by the club.

As none of these individuals can be categorised as a traditional striker, their statistics need to be interpreted differently; passing accuracy becomes secondary when they are solely assessed based on their goal contributions.

Arteta’s Previous Connection with Torres at Manchester City

Previously, Torres has been linked with a switch to Arsenal, and Arteta is well-acquainted with the striker’s capabilities, having worked with him during their time together at Manchester City.

This familiarity certainly works in the Spaniard’s favour, and any brief integration period required could see Torres rise to the forefront in the manager’s considerations. Additionally, he was just one goal behind Sesko in all competitions for the 2024/25 season, despite starting 18 fewer matches and playing only 1,503 minutes compared to Sesko’s 2,738.

Furthermore, despite being slightly older than Sesko, Torres is still a few years shy of reaching his peak, and in the right environment, he could make a significant leap in his career progression.

With Barcelona’s ongoing financial struggles impacting their transfer activities, and Robert Lewandowski likely entering the final year of his contract, the best Torres might anticipate is another supporting role at the Catalan club.

Unless he secures a firm commitment that he will be a starter due to his impressive form, Torres faces a straightforward decision regarding his future—a choice that could benefit all parties involved.