Sunday, 19 January 2025

Gunners go for Cesco

Arsenal's glaring need for a finisher was clear to see yesterday, as Trossard went through on goal and dragged his effort past the post against Villa. By the way, Trossard was nothing short of amazing, contributing two assists. However, Arsenal's lack of an out-and-out goal poacher is evident and it will prove costly if the club refuse to plug the gaps in attack.

That's why Arsenal must go to Benny Šeško now. Why? Because he's the wonderkid Arsenal must move for before Barcelona do. 

Of course, it's January, and the transfer window is wide open—cue the endless speculation, the daily links to players we've never heard of, and it's when we get a gut-punch reminder of all the talent we could've signed. Case in point: Benjamin Šeško, the Slovenian sensation currently making waves at RB Leipzig. 

Arsenal have been loosely linked to him before, but if we're not careful, we might watch him slip through our fingers as another future superstar dons the colours of Barcelona instead.

So, who is Šeško, and why should we care? For starters, the 6'4" forward is exactly the kind of player Arsenal have been crying out for—a physically dominant striker who can score goals for fun, hold the ball up like prime Olivier Giroud, and leave defenders scrambling like they're chasing their shadows. Šeško is a freakish combination of speed, strength, and technical ability. Think of him as the love child of Erling Haaland and Thierry Henry, if such a hybrid existed.

After tearing it up at Red Bull Salzburg, where he bagged 23 goals in his final season, he's now at Leipzig, where he's already scored 17, which is one more than his tally last season! 

In a recent game he was sent off against Stuttgart, but this striker has a track record and he's still only 21.

Now, here's where Arsenal come in—or rather, should come in. Arteta's squad is brimming with attacking talent, but let's not kid ourselves: Gabriel Jesus is classy but injury-prone, and is now out for the season. Eddie Nketiah was inconsistent, and now he's at Palace. Kai Havertz is a great team player but not a 25-goals a season striker.

Šeško would not only add depth but also give us something we don't currently have—a real physical presence in the box who can dominate in the air.

But here's the catch. Barcelona are sniffing around so Arsenal need to act quickly. We've already shown we can lure top talent (hello, Declan Rice), and the Emirates is still a destination players want to come to. We're playing Champions League football, fighting for trophies and more importantly, we're building something long-term.

Šeško is a no-brainer. He won't come cheap, of course, but isn't that the point? There is supposed to be a 'gentleman's agreement' in place that will see him move to Arsenal for 60m euros in the summer, but why wait? And what good is this agreement if Barca come in and gazump Arsenal? Apparently, that's part of the agreement. If that's the case, the agreement isn't worth a handshake.

Of course, it will cost Arsenal dearly to move early. I would imagine it will be at least 80 millions euros to make the deal happen now or even more, unless the player goes on strike or something. We've wasted too many years penny-pinching, and look where that got us. If we want to compete with Europe's best, we need to act like Europe's best.

So, here's the challenge, Arsenal: don't let this one pass us by. If Šeško ends up banging in goals for Barcelona while we're stuck wondering what might've been, we'll only have ourselves to blame. The time to act is now.

Because if there's one thing Arsenal fans can agree on, it's that we're tired of watching other clubs snap up the stars we could've had. Don't let Benjamin Šeško be another name on that list.

Loose Cannon Verdict: Move heaven and earth, Arsenal. We'll back you.

The problem following Edu Gaspar's resignation as Arsenal's sporting director in November 2024 is Jason Ayto is only the interim sporting director overseeing operations during this transitional period. In these circumstances, how will Arsenal get deals over the line.

Even now, Arsenal are still actively searching for a permanent replacement. Reports suggest that Tomas Rosicky, a former Arsenal midfielder and current sporting director at Sparta Prague, is a leading candidate for the position. Rosicky's contract with Sparta Prague is set to expire in the summer, and his close relationships with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and academy chief Per Mertesacker make him a strong contender. 

In the interim, James King, who rejoined Arsenal as Director of Football Operations in October 2024, is also contributing behind the scenes. 

However, with all of this happening behind the scenes, perhaps it's no wonder that Arsenal have not brought any players in yet. 

Regarding Edu's replacement, few names carry as much weight with fans as "The Little Mozart." I personally disagree, as he wasn't exactly a workaholic on the pitch and coasted through games. I used to call him: 'The Great Pretender', as his efforts to tackle back were invariably tokenistic. Bear in mind that the way players perform on the pitch tells us a lot about their personality, according to Arsene Wenger. 

Rosicky, now 44, has spent the past few years cutting his teeth as sporting director at Sparta Prague, where he's gained a reputation for smart recruitment and developing young talent. With his current contract set to expire in the summer, Arsenal are reportedly keen to bring him back to the club where he spent ten seasons as a player.

The Czech international, famous for his silky skills and pinpoint passing, could be the perfect man to pick up where Edu left off. He already has a strong relationship with Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker—two key figures in Arsenal's hierarchy—and understands the club's ethos inside out.

But it's not just about nostalgia. Sources suggest Rosicky is highly regarded in Europe for his eye for talent and ability to navigate the modern transfer market. During his tenure at Sparta Prague, he had helped build a competitive squad on a modest budget, all while promoting academy players—a model that aligns perfectly with Arsenal's long-term vision.

The appointment would also keep Arsenal's sporting leadership in familiar hands. The Rosicky-Arteta partnership could be the dream ticket to take the Gunners to the next level, building on the foundations Edu laid during his successful stint.

Of course, nothing is official yet. Interim sporting director Jason Ayto is currently holding the fort, while Arsenal explore their options. But fans can expect developments in the coming months, with Rosicky reportedly open to a return to North London.

Loose Cannon Verdict:

A Rosicky comeback feels like a no-brainer to some. He knows the club, he knows the fans, and he's shown he's got the talent to make an impact behind the scenes. Fans say Arsenal can seal the deal, it could be the final piece of the puzzle in the Gunners' rise back to the top. However, I've got my doubts, based on how his work ethic on the pitch as a player left much to be desired. Watch this space!

Moving onto a less popular figure at Arsenal: Emiliano Martínez. Personally, I like him and still wish the club hadn't sold him, although David Raya suits the team's style better.

During the recent game against Villa, I had to remind myself why Arsenal fans resent Martinez so much and it largely stems from a combination of factors, including his departure from the club, his comments afterward, and some of his behavior during and after games involving Arsenal. Here are the key reasons:

1. Departure from Arsenal:

Martínez had a breakout season during the 2019-2020 campaign, especially shining in the FA Cup run and the Community Shield. However, when Bernd Leno returned to fitness, Arsenal chose Leno as their starting goalkeeper. Martínez subsequently left for Aston Villa, reportedly feeling he wasn't valued enough at Arsenal. Some fans saw his decision as understandable but were disappointed, as he had finally proven himself after a decade at the club.

2. Post-departure Comments:

After leaving Arsenal, Martínez made remarks that some fans interpreted as disrespectful. He suggested that Aston Villa showed him more faith than Arsenal ever had, implying Arsenal hadn't given him a fair chance. Such comments rankled fans who felt the club had invested in him for years despite long periods of being a backup.

3. On-field Antics:

Martínez is known for his fiery personality and gamesmanship, especially during penalties or high-stakes moments. His antics during the 2021-2022 Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal, where he taunted Arsenal players, did not sit well with fans. Additionally, his exaggerated celebrations and perceived arrogance have rubbed some fans the wrong way.

4. World Cup Celebrations:

Martínez's behavior during Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup celebrations, including trolling Kylian Mbappé and carrying a controversial golden glove trophy, further polarized football fans in general, including Arsenal supporters.

5. Rivalries and Performances Against Arsenal:

Martínez has often performed well against Arsenal and celebrated victories enthusiastically. His apparent satisfaction in beating his former club has added fuel to the fire for some fans who feel he carries a chip on his shoulder.

Ultimately, while some Arsenal fans still appreciate Martínez's contributions like me during his time at the club, many have grown frustrated by his comments, attitude, and behaviour since leaving. 

I've tried to explain the inexplicable, but that's it for now. Let's hope Arsenal really go for Cesco and make the deal happen now!


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