Why Ferran Torres of Barcelona is a More Suitable Choice for Arsenal than Benjamin Sesko

As the 2025/26 season approaches, Arsenal is actively searching for a striker capable of consistently finding the back of the net.

The Gunners have long been in need of a forward whose primary focus is scoring goals; however, they have tended to recruit players who also specialise in passing and linking up play.

This strategy has, on occasion, resulted in significant losses, with the north London club dropping points in matches they should have at least drawn or won.

Mikel Arteta’s immediate priority: a striker

If Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal management truly aspire for the first-team to compete for the Premier League title and other trophies next season, bringing in a top-notch striker must be the club’s foremost priority this summer.

Current speculation suggests that Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig may be a target for Arsenal, although the Bundesliga side could demand up to £70 million for his signature if they agree to let him go.

Arsenal’s interest in Sesko makes perfect sense.

Last season, Sesko, aged 24, scored an impressive 17 goals and made six assists, despite playing for a Leipzig team that finished seventh in the Bundesliga, missing out on European competition entirely.

This makes it somewhat challenging for Leipzig to retain their star talent, although not impossible.

Especially if Arsenal explores other options.

Ferran Torres: A Viable Premier League Option

Another potential target boasting Premier League experience is Ferran Torres, who enjoyed an impressive 2024/25 season with Barcelona that may have slipped under the radar.

Having been nurtured in a style that aligns well with Arteta’s philosophy, the 25-year-old Spaniard would likely fit seamlessly alongside players like Mikel Merino, David Raya, and the manager himself.

While it’s fair to say Torres might not possess the classic attributes of a traditional target man akin to Sesko, Erling Haaland’s success at Manchester City has demonstrated that having a physically dominant centre-forward can be critical, even in sides that play a less direct style.

Historically, Arsenal has thrived with strikers who combine speed and skill with a sharpshooter’s instinct, qualities that have been sorely lacking in recent times.

In the 24/25 season, Torres netted 16 goals and provided six assists in 34 appearances, finally stepping out from Robert Lewandowski’s shadow.

More agile than the Polish forward, all he required was a stable run of games to prove he could serve as the leading forward for Barcelona.

With a remarkable 88.9% shooting accuracy and a 50% conversion rate in the Copa del Rey, his statistics are elite, making it difficult to comprehend why he would settle for a secondary role again.

In terms of goal scoring, Kai Havertz (11 goals, three assists in 28 games), Gabriel Martinelli (eight goals, four assists in 38 games), and Leandro Trossard (eight goals, seven assists in 42 games) were Arsenal’s brightest hopes during the 24/25 season, illustrating their ongoing struggles.

Since none of these players can genuinely be classified as a traditional striker, their statistics necessitate a different assessment, particularly when passing accuracy matters little if their performance is solely evaluated on goals scored.

Arteta’s Familiarity with Torres

Having previously been linked with Arsenal, Torres’s familiarity with Arteta—who coached him at Manchester City—provides an additional advantage for the Spaniard. The brief adaptation period he would likely require could give him an edge over Sesko in Arteta’s considerations.

Moreover, Torres was only one goal below Sesko’s tally across all competitions during the 24/25 season, despite starting 18 fewer matches and logging just 1,503 minutes compared to Sesko’s 2,738.

Despite being a few years older than Sesko, Torres still has considerable room for development ahead and could make significant strides in his career if placed in the right environment.

Barcelona’s well-documented financial struggles continue to hinder their actions in the transfer market, and with Lewandowski remaining at the club for the last year of his contract at the very least, Torres appears destined for a secondary role once again at the Catalan side.

Unless he receives a firm assurance of being the first-choice forward based on his remarkable form, Torres faces a pivotal decision regarding his future.

This scenario could ultimately benefit all parties involved.