Former Arsenal striker outperforms Sesko and Martinelli

Arsenal fans are feeling a mix of emotions lately. While the team impressed against Manchester City recently, they failed to sign any attackers in January despite injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.

This lack of reinforcements is made more frustrating by the fact that a former Arsenal striker is currently outscoring both promising RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal’s striker struggles

Arsenal’s need for a clinical finisher has been evident this season. Kai Havertz is the only player to reach double-digit goals, while injured Saka has 9 and Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri and Martinelli each have 7.

The club was linked with Sesko in January, exciting fans with the prospect of adding a prolific young goalscorer. The 21-year-old Slovenian has impressed with 14 goals in 29 games this season.

Giroud outperforming Arsenal’s current options

However, former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has managed to outscore both Sesko and Martinelli in his final full season before moving to MLS.

Giroud, who Arsenal sold to Chelsea for £18m in 2018, scored 19 goals and provided 10 assists in 66 games last season for AC Milan and LAFC. This equates to a goal involvement every 152.68 minutes – an impressive rate for a 38-year-old striker.

While Arsenal were likely right to sell Giroud when they did, his recent form highlights the team’s current need for a clinical finisher. Arteta would surely love to have a striker of Giroud’s caliber in the squad today.

Ultimately, Arsenal should still pursue Sesko, as the young striker has immense potential to develop into an even more prolific goalscorer than Giroud was for the Gunners. But Giroud’s continued success serves as a reminder of the type of consistent finisher Arsenal currently lack.