As Arsenal prepares for the 2025/2026 season, Mikel Arteta and the Gunners’ recruitment team are actively exploring options to bolster their attacking department. One name that’s been making serious waves in recent transfer rumors is Benjamin Šeško, the highly rated Slovenian striker currently playing for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
With a reported transfer fee of around £70 million, Šeško won’t come cheap. However, Arsenal appear ready to make a substantial investment to secure a forward with his rare blend of physicality, speed, and tactical intelligence — qualities that could elevate the North London club to new attacking heights.
Why Šeško Has Been Compared to Haaland – But Offers Something More
It’s almost impossible to mention Benjamin Šeško without hearing his name followed by “the next Erling Haaland.” The comparisons aren’t baseless — both strikers share a towering 6’4″ frame (193 cm), athletic build, and a raw explosiveness in front of goal. Their similarities in playing style and physical attributes have made this comparison inevitable.
Yet, those who have watched Šeško closely know that he brings his own unique skill set to the pitch. While he may not yet boast the same goal-scoring statistics as Haaland, especially in terms of clinical finishing, Šeško is still just 21 years old and showing immense development. His all-round game, intelligence in movement, and technical contribution make him more than just a Haaland replica — he’s a striker tailor-made for Arteta’s fluid attacking philosophy.
Elite Physical Attributes: Tall, Powerful, and Surprisingly Fast
One of Šeško’s standout features is his rare combination of size and speed. Standing at 6’4″, he’s naturally dominant in aerial duels and often serves as an ideal target man. But what sets him apart from typical tall strikers is his incredible pace.
According to Sky Sports journalist Nick Wright, Šeško has been clocked at a blistering top speed of 35.69 km/h in the Bundesliga — making him the 26th fastest player out of 492 in the league. For context, Kai Havertz, Arsenal’s current utility forward who’s occasionally used in a false nine role, only reached a top speed of 33.42 km/h, placing him 212th in the Premier League’s speed rankings.
In fact, the only Arsenal player who currently records a faster top speed than Šeško is Gabriel Martinelli. That means adding Šeško to the squad could inject a powerful new dynamic into Arsenal’s high-intensity pressing and quick-transition system, especially when facing teams with a high defensive line.
Counter-Attack Specialist: A Threat on the Break
Another reason Arsenal are interested in Šeško lies in his ability to thrive in counter-attacking situations. His sense of timing, movement off the ball, and space awareness make him one of the most dangerous forwards during transitions.
RB Leipzig’s style of play, which heavily emphasizes counter-attacks, suits Šeško perfectly. Since the start of the 2023/2024 season, Leipzig scored 17 goals from counter-attacks — the second-highest total in the Bundesliga after Eintracht Frankfurt. Of those, five goals came directly from Šeško, making him one of the most prolific counter-attacking scorers in the league.
Only Loïs Openda (his Leipzig teammate) and Omar Marmoush (formerly of Frankfurt) scored more in those scenarios, each netting six.
For Arsenal — a team that often faces compact defenses and needs to strike quickly during transitions — Šeško’s strengths could be the missing piece in Arteta’s tactical jigsaw.
Not Just About Goals: Šeško’s Versatility in Build-Up Play
While comparisons with Haaland highlight Šeško’s goal-scoring potential, it’s important to recognize that he offers more than just a poacher’s instinct. Haaland’s game is built around lethal finishing and movement inside the penalty area. Šeško, on the other hand, plays a more rounded role.
He often drops deep to receive the ball, links up play between the midfield and attack, and helps open up space for wingers and attacking midfielders to exploit. This aspect of his game aligns perfectly with Mikel Arteta’s emphasis on positional fluidity and interchanging roles in the final third.
Šeško’s willingness to get involved in build-up play, along with his speed and aerial dominance, could make him an ideal addition to a forward line that already includes creative talents like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal’s Vision: Building for the Future
It’s clear that Arsenal are not just chasing big names — they’re targeting players who align with the long-term vision of the club. Benjamin Šeško is not a short-term solution but rather a strategic investment in a player with sky-high potential.
At just 21 years old, he’s already playing regularly in one of Europe’s top leagues and has gained valuable experience in the Champions League with Leipzig. His physical attributes, technical skills, and tactical maturity suggest he could blossom into one of Europe’s elite strikers over the next few years.
If Arsenal can secure his signature, it wouldn’t just be about filling a gap up front — it would be a statement of intent from a club determined to challenge the very best, both domestically and in Europe.
Šeško Could Be Arsenal’s Next Great No. 9
With the summer transfer window heating up, Arsenal’s pursuit of Benjamin Šeško makes perfect sense. His blend of speed, strength, intelligence, and versatility ticks all the boxes for a modern striker — and with Arteta’s system, he could flourish in North London.
While the price tag might be steep, Arsenal fans should be excited. Benjamin Šeško isn’t just “the next Haaland.” He might just be the first Šeško — and that’s exactly what the Gunners need.
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