Arsenal have been linked with a variety of striker solutions this summer from big names within the Premier League like Ivan Toney to ambitious superstars like Victor Osimhen to top marksmen outside of Europe’s top five leagues like Viktor Gyokeres.
Joshua Zirkzee is one name who has recently been linked to Arsenal as an up-and-coming U23 standout who is coming off a great season with Bologna, aiding their surprise Champions League place finish.
However, if Arsenal want to sign a U23 striker, there are alternatives to Zirkzee who may be better and even more economical, given all the other Premier League interest in the 22-year-old.
Benjamin Sesko, RB Leipzig
Benjamin Sesko should be at the top of the wishlist for Arsenal and may be a better option than the big names like Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen.
RB Leipzig produce top players, and Sesko had a great 2023/24 season for the top four Bundesliga side despite having to cede minutes to top summer signing Lois Openda – one of the best scoring strikers in European football.
In 17 matches, Sesko has scored 10 goals for Leipzig, which is a great ratio compared to Zirkzee’s 11 in 32 matches. Arsenal have Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, who are both good strikers; Havertz has been a truly great one in 2024.
Therefore, Arsenal are looking for a young, pure scorer. At the age of 20, there isn’t someone who fulfills this role and has as much upside as a possible 30-goal striker than Sesko. You can see why rivals Chelsea are already in on him.
Arnaud Kalimuendo, Rennes
The former PSG prospect has become a solid Ligue 1 striker for Rennes and Lens, racking up four seasons of significant playing time while still being under the age of 23.
Kalimuendo hasn’t been as hyped as Zirkzee this season, but the versatile forward has been nearly as good with 10 goals and 1.7 fouls drawn per game.
He could be an economical option for Arsenal as an alternative to Zirkzee.
Elye Wahi, Lens
Elye Wahi has a little more upside than Kalimuendo, though the latter has a few more seasons of a track record of success with Lens and Rennes.
The 21-year-old joined Lens this past summer from Montpellier after an amazing 2022/23 season with 19 goals and 5 assists, establishing himself as one of the best young – and one of the most underrated – strikers in world football.
Wahi only scored 8 goals this past season for Lens, but he is on Arsenal’s radar as a transfer target and looks like a more exciting scorer than Zirkzee, who has never had a season like Wahi’s 2022/23.
Even in the year before that, Wahi scored 10 goals for Montpellier, so, like Kalimuendo, he’s also had a couple of seasons of being a legitimate attacking threat in Ligue 1.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He has been an editor for NFL Spin Zone, Daily DDT for pro wrestling, Autzen Zoo covering the Oregon Ducks, Musket Fire covering the New England Patriots, The Real Champs covering Real Madrid, Old Juve covering Juventus, Rush The Kop covering Liverpool, and Release The Knappen covering Schalke. His work has been featured in ESPN, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, and other outlets. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.