Viktor Gyokeres v Benjamin Sesko: Have big name striker signings picked the right clubs in Manchester United and Arsenal?
AFNEWS reporter
Aug 15, 2025
Viktor Gyokeres v Benjamin Sesko: Have big name striker signings picked the right clubs in Manchester United and Arsenal?
Manchester United host Arsenal on the opening day of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign with both clubs showing off brand new strikers signed over the summer. Benjamin Sesko will play for United for the first time, while Arsenal will arrive at Old Trafford with Ruben Amorim's former charge, Viktor Gyokeres. But with both players having been linked with the other club, how do they compare?
READ ALSO: 2023: ADC Candidate Picks Tonto Dikeh As Running Mate | READ DETAILS
At the start of the summer, it was clear that both Arsenal and Manchester United would be looking to bolster their respective forward lines with the signing of a central striker.
READ ALSO: Two feared killed, others injured as SUV rams into #EndSARS protesters in Lagos (WATCH VIDEO)
The Gunners were reportedly in pole position to sign RB Leipzig hitman Benjamin Sesko while many were expecting a reunion between United boss Ruben Amorim and his former forward at Sporting CP, Viktor Gyokeres.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
As it turned out, Gyokeres ended up at Arsenal and Sesko has just been unveiled as a United player.
READ ALSO: TB Joshua's Funeral Programme Revealed [See Details]
With the two protagonists of one of the Premier League's all-time great rivalries set to meet on the first weekend of the 2025/26 campaign, fans and observers will get the opportunity to see an early indication of whether the clubs got the signings right, and which team got the better deal.
Road to the Premier League
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
Gyokeres is already familiar with English football, having joined Brighton at 19 from IF Brommapojkarna in his native Sweden, but was unable to make the breakthrough at the Amex, with loans to St Pauli, Swansea and Coventry during his time on the south coast.
READ ALSO: Ibaka Deep Seaport: FG commends Udom, states position on the project
He eventually made the move to Coventry in the Championship permanently, helping the Sky Blues to the play-off final in 2023.
READ ALSO: How Ambazonia Fighters From Cameroon Invaded Taraba, Killed Traditional Ruler
Viktor Gyokeres career goals (all competitions)
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu unveils five-year food sufficiency road map for Lagos
Apps
Goals
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Brighton and Hove Albion
8
1
FC St. Pauli
28
7
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Swansea City
12
1
READ ALSO: 2023: ADC Candidate Picks Tonto Dikeh As Running Mate | READ DETAILS
Coventry City
116
43
READ ALSO: Two feared killed, others injured as SUV rams into #EndSARS protesters in Lagos (WATCH VIDEO)
Sporting CP
102
97
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Slovenian star Sesko caught the eye of Red Bull Salzburg at the age of just 16, and during his development he impressed on loan at feeder club FC Liefering, scoring 21 goals in the 2020/21 season.
READ ALSO: TB Joshua's Funeral Programme Revealed [See Details]
Returning to Salzburg, he played a role in two Austrian Bundesliga title wins scoring 29 times over two years.
He would stay on the Red Bull train with his next stop being Leipzig.
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
Benjamin Sesko career goals (all competitions)
READ ALSO: Ibaka Deep Seaport: FG commends Udom, states position on the project
Apps
Goals
READ ALSO: How Ambazonia Fighters From Cameroon Invaded Taraba, Killed Traditional Ruler
RB Salzburg
79
29
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu unveils five-year food sufficiency road map for Lagos
FC Liefering
44
22
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
RB Leipzig
87
39
Gyokeres, at 28, has the upper hand in terms of experience, but 22-year-old Slovenian Sesko potentially has more room to grow given his age.
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Recent form
READ ALSO: 2023: ADC Candidate Picks Tonto Dikeh As Running Mate | READ DETAILS
Following defeat to Luton Town in their Wembley match in 2023, Coventry needed to cash in on their main asset, accepting a £20 million offer for Gyokeres from Sporting, where he would flourish with 68 league goals in just 66 matches across two seasons, helping the club to back-to-back Portuguese titles.
READ ALSO: Two feared killed, others injured as SUV rams into #EndSARS protesters in Lagos (WATCH VIDEO)
The Swede also alerted Europe of his talent with a hat-trick against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League last season.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Meanwhile in Germany, Sesko's impressive debut season in the Bundesliga saw him find the back of the net 18 times in all competitions as the club finished fourth to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
READ ALSO: TB Joshua's Funeral Programme Revealed [See Details]
For the club, things were less successful last season as they floundered to a seventh-place league finish, missing out on Europe completely.
Sesko, however, continued to thrive with his 21 goals in all competitions, making it his best scoring season and naturally drawing the attention of Europe's biggest sides.
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
Some might argue about the strength of the Bundesliga compared to the Portuguese league, but Gyokeres' remarkable tally is still not to be ignored.
League goals since 2023/24 season
READ ALSO: Ibaka Deep Seaport: FG commends Udom, states position on the project
Viktor Gy├keres
Benjamin Sesko
READ ALSO: How Ambazonia Fighters From Cameroon Invaded Taraba, Killed Traditional Ruler
Games played
66
64
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu unveils five-year food sufficiency road map for Lagos
Goals
68
27
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Assists
17
7
Goals and assists
85
34
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Penalties taken (scored)
17 (17)
2 (2)
READ ALSO: 2023: ADC Candidate Picks Tonto Dikeh As Running Mate | READ DETAILS
Shots per 90 minutes
4.0
2.6
READ ALSO: Two feared killed, others injured as SUV rams into #EndSARS protesters in Lagos (WATCH VIDEO)
Shots on target per 90 minutes
2.2
1.3
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Shot conversion rate
26.9%
23.5%
READ ALSO: TB Joshua's Funeral Programme Revealed [See Details]
Expected goals (xG)
53.5
17.6
xG performance
+14.5
+9.4
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
xG per 90 minutes
0.8
0.4
READ ALSO: Ibaka Deep Seaport: FG commends Udom, states position on the project
Playing styles
READ ALSO: How Ambazonia Fighters From Cameroon Invaded Taraba, Killed Traditional Ruler
In terms of stature, Gyokeres stands at 6'2" with Sesko an even more imposing 6'5", perhaps suggesting that football is now returning to the "big man" target forward as opposed to the false 9s and more deep-lying forwards that have been prevalent in the game for some years.
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu unveils five-year food sufficiency road map for Lagos
Both players do most of the work in the box with 36 of Sesko's 40 strikes for Leipzig scored inside the penalty area and the same for 91 of Gyokeres' 97 goals.
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Types of goal scored (all competitions since 2023/24 season)
Viktor Gyokeres
Benjamin Sesko
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Total (league)
97 (68)
40 (27)
READ ALSO: 2023: ADC Candidate Picks Tonto Dikeh As Running Mate | READ DETAILS
Left foot (league)
13 (9)
9 (4)
READ ALSO: Two feared killed, others injured as SUV rams into #EndSARS protesters in Lagos (WATCH VIDEO)
Right foot (league)
79 (57)
21 (15)
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Head (league)
5 (2)
10 (8)
READ ALSO: TB Joshua's Funeral Programme Revealed [See Details]
Inside penalty area (league)
91 (64)
36 (23)
Outside penalty area (league)
6 (4)
4 (4)
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
Penalties (league)
27 (17)
4 (2)
READ ALSO: Ibaka Deep Seaport: FG commends Udom, states position on the project
Sesko's height appears to make him effective in the air, with 10 of his total goals (25%) coming from headers.
READ ALSO: How Ambazonia Fighters From Cameroon Invaded Taraba, Killed Traditional Ruler
Gyokeres scored far fewer of his goals with his head (5.1%) but demonstrated his own strengths in this area with a powerful effort to open the scoring in the Gunners' pre-season friendly win over Athletic Club.
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu unveils five-year food sufficiency road map for Lagos
Arsenal's proficiency from set-pieces is well documented, having scored 14 times from corners alone in the Premier League last term, but this is an area in which United could improve on.
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Amorim will be hoping Sesko's aerial ability will boost the numbers from the six corners they scored from in the league last season.
Gyokeres' role as penalty taker for Sporting also helped his tally after converting from 12 yards on 27 occasions during his time in Portugal.
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
How will they fit in?
READ ALSO: 2023: ADC Candidate Picks Tonto Dikeh As Running Mate | READ DETAILS
Despite a disappointing overall campaign for the team, one Manchester United player seemed to stand out among the rest - that man being a certain Bruno Fernandes.
READ ALSO: Two feared killed, others injured as SUV rams into #EndSARS protesters in Lagos (WATCH VIDEO)
The Portuguese star led the way in terms of assists and chances created for United, and should he continue with the same output, Sesko and the team should benefit and go some way to making a vast improvement on last season's 15th place league finish.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Man Utd all competitions 2024/25
Assists
Chances created (including assists)
READ ALSO: TB Joshua's Funeral Programme Revealed [See Details]
Bruno Fernandes
18
158
Alejandro Garnacho
10
70
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
Amad Diallo
8
67
READ ALSO: Ibaka Deep Seaport: FG commends Udom, states position on the project
For The Gunners, despite a three-month injury absence, Bukayo Saka was Arsenal's leading assist-maker with 13 last season, and only trailed Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice in terms of chances created.
READ ALSO: How Ambazonia Fighters From Cameroon Invaded Taraba, Killed Traditional Ruler
With Gyokeres now in tow, any concerns about the perceived lack of firepower at the Emirates could well be put to bed.
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu unveils five-year food sufficiency road map for Lagos
Arsenal all competitions 2024/25
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Assists
Bukayo Saka
13
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Martin Odegaard
11
READ ALSO: 2023: ADC Candidate Picks Tonto Dikeh As Running Mate | READ DETAILS
Declan Rice
10
READ ALSO: Two feared killed, others injured as SUV rams into #EndSARS protesters in Lagos (WATCH VIDEO)
Leandro Trossard
9
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Chances created (including assists)
READ ALSO: TB Joshua's Funeral Programme Revealed [See Details]
Martin Odegaard
96
Declan Rice
82
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
Bukayo Saka
77
READ ALSO: Ibaka Deep Seaport: FG commends Udom, states position on the project
Gabriel Martinelli
60
READ ALSO: How Ambazonia Fighters From Cameroon Invaded Taraba, Killed Traditional Ruler
'His goal-scoring tally will go up' - TNT Pundits on the new men
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu unveils five-year food sufficiency road map for Lagos
The Premier League welcomes two strikers eager to make their mark in the division, as well as out-do one another.
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Amorim has not had a great deal of luck with Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee to date, so a move a for a forward he is more familiar with in Gyokeres made sense initially until Arsenal swooped in.
The Red Devils instead opted for Sesko, who had reportedly been top of Mikel Arteta's wishlist since last summer.
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Round one of this potentially mouth-watering battle begins on August 17 and ahead of the big kick off, we asked our experts who they thought would score more goals this season for their respective new clubs.
READ ALSO: 2023: ADC Candidate Picks Tonto Dikeh As Running Mate | READ DETAILS
Ally McCoist:
READ ALSO: Two feared killed, others injured as SUV rams into #EndSARS protesters in Lagos (WATCH VIDEO)
"I think Gyokeres will score more goals initially, because Arsenal are a better team and create more chances.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
"I think Sesko will score goals, I really do, and I think as Man United improve his goal-scoring tally will go up.
READ ALSO: TB Joshua's Funeral Programme Revealed [See Details]
"It's just plain and simply down to the reason I think Arsenal are a better team and have more creativity about them at this moment in time."
Steve McManaman:
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
"Looking at the two, the two clubs and the positions where they were last year, I'd say Gyokeres should score more goals because I think Arsenal will make more chances because they'll dominate games more.
READ ALSO: Ibaka Deep Seaport: FG commends Udom, states position on the project
"Sesko's come in, and he's got Mbeumo and Cunha to share the goals.
READ ALSO: How Ambazonia Fighters From Cameroon Invaded Taraba, Killed Traditional Ruler
"They're two exciting signings, but they've got a lot to prove, haven't they? Because with all due respect, playing in their respective leagues and what they've done, it's not like playing in the Premier League.
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu unveils five-year food sufficiency road map for Lagos
"So I'm really interested to see how they hit the ground in the Premier League."
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Michail Antonio:
"[Gyokeres] will probably get more because I feel like he'll get more opportunities the way Arteta plays with the crossing of the ball, how big he is, it's one of the strengths."
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
TNT Sports' newest pundit also had some advice for both players when it comes to adapting to the Premier League.
READ ALSO: 2023: ADC Candidate Picks Tonto Dikeh As Running Mate | READ DETAILS
The former West Ham striker says that having variation to your game and "keeping defenders guessing" is key to success as a striker in the division.
READ ALSO: Two feared killed, others injured as SUV rams into #EndSARS protesters in Lagos (WATCH VIDEO)
"I feel like I had to constantly mix up what I was doing," he says of his own experiences adapting to top-flight football.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
"I couldn't just keep coming short. I had to come short, go in behind, come short... I had to constantly keep them guessing.
READ ALSO: TB Joshua's Funeral Programme Revealed [See Details]
"If you try and do one thing, it makes it easy for them because these centre-halves are not slow.
"Back in the days centre-halves were quite slow, quite stocky so you can easily run in behind them... They're not like that [now].
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
"So you need to have the movement to try and keep them guessing, keep them thinking.
READ ALSO: Ibaka Deep Seaport: FG commends Udom, states position on the project
"Go in behind them, come short, spinning behind, switch up positions; sometimes go out wide just to change it up so they don't really know where you are, constantly changing your game plan."
Related Stories
David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world, says Arsenal team-mate Kai Havertz after Sporting heroics
Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Who has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Who do England and Scotland play? Could Lionel Messi face Cristiano Ronaldo?
Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
""
— AFNEWS reporter