Five Clever Striker Alternatives for Arsenal This Summer Beyond Benjamin Sesko

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    <p>Alternative Goalscorers</p>

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    <p>Arsenal's pursuit of a new striker this summer seems to have encountered difficulties, with reports suggesting that the club's top target, Benjamin Sesko, is less likely to make a move to North London. According to <em>The Mirror</em>, the Slovenian forward is demanding wages that Arsenal is unwilling to meet, prompting the Premier League giants to consider alternative options for a new forward in the upcoming months.</p>

    <p>For some time now, Mikel Arteta's squad has been in dire need of a fresh striker. While last season saw the club perform admirably in domestic and European contests, they ultimately fell short due to a lack of attacking strength. With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined by injuries, Arteta had to rely on Mikel Merino as a solo striker for several matches. To avoid a repeat of this predicament next season, Arsenal must explore other forward options if Sesko is no longer a viable candidate.</p>

    <h2>Conrad Harder - Sporting</h2>
    <p>One alternative linked to Arsenal is Conrad Harder, alongside Viktor Gyökeres. However, Sporting is expected to demand close to €100 million for the 26-year-old Gyökeres. Instead, Arsenal could find more value in considering Gyökeres's strike partner, Harder. At just 20 years old and with a market value of around €24 million, he represents a more affordable option. Known for his speed and strength, Harder has adapted well to Portuguese football, netting 13 goals and providing 10 assists in 54 appearances. His impressive statistic of nearly 1 goal or assist per 90 minutes shows great promise for Arsenal fans eager for talent.</p>

    <h2>Evann Guessand - Nice</h2>
    <p>Another forward on Arsenal's radar could be Evann Guessand from Nice. Valued at €25 million, the 23-year-old is a much cheaper alternative compared to players like Sesko. Following successful loan spells at Lausanne-Sport and Nantes, Guessand has established himself at Nice, contributing 12 goals and 9 assists this season with an average of 0.64 goals and assists per game. Standing at 1.88m (6 ft 2 in), he could be the target man Arsenal has been lacking.</p>

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        <img alt="Arsenal striker wishlist" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/arsenal-striker-wishlist-1746705359-167433.png?lm=1746705377" title="Arsenal striker wishlist" width="503"></img>
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    <h2>Santiago Castro - Bologna</h2>
    <p>Next on the list is Santiago Castro, a young striker making headlines in his inaugural season in one of Europe's top leagues. At just 20, Castro joined Bologna for €12 million in January 2024 and has made a significant impact. Filling in for the departed Joshua Zirkzee, Castro has scored 11 goals and assisted 9 times in 54 games, averaging 0.58 goal contributions per 90 minutes. His playing style draws comparisons to Inter's Lautaro Martínez, which has earned him the nickname "Mini Lautaro." Arsenal would do well to act quickly before his value rises.</p>

    <h2>Gonçalo Ramos - Paris Saint-Germain</h2>
    <p>Although Arsenal fans may have mixed feelings about PSG players, Gonçalo Ramos deserves consideration. After joining PSG for €65 million last summer, the Portuguese forward has found himself sidelined, starting only a third of Ligue 1 games and a mere 6% in the Champions League. Given his current situation, the 23-year-old might explore his options this summer, allowing Arsenal to potentially snag him for a lower price than PSG initially paid. His statistics show an average of 0.98 goal contributions per 90 minutes, making him a fitting addition to Arteta's squad.</p>

    <h2>Jonathan Burkardt - Mainz</h2>
    <p>Last on the list is Mainz striker Jonathan Burkardt. Though he turns 25 this summer, a serious knee injury sidelined him for much of the 2022/23 season. Now fully recovered, Burkardt has emerged as a formidable presence in Bundesliga, netting 18 goals and assisting three times in 30 matches this season, averaging 0.88 goals and assists per 90 minutes. He has matched the league goals of Bayern’s Harry Kane this season, making Burkardt an appealing choice for Arsenal if they're seeking an effective striker without the hefty price tag associated with other options.</p>
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