Arsenal now in strong position to sign £55m striker who could make Nicolas Jover look even better - opinion
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Nicolas Jover has swiftly become a popular figure at Arsenal since leaving Manchester City for north London in July 2021.
The set-piece specialist has turned the Gunners into a force to be reckoned with from corners, with Arsenal fans nowadays celebrating a corner almost as loudly as the awarding of a penalty.
Arsenal netted 16 goals from corners last season – matching the Premier League record set by West Brom and Oldham – so whatever the Frenchman is doing seems to be working very well indeed.
| Team | Season | Corner goals |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 2023/24 | 16 |
| West Brom | 2016/17 | 16 |
| Oldham | 1992/93 | 16 |
| Liverpool | 2021/22 | 15 |
| Man City | 2021/22 | 15 |
| Man Utd | 2012/13 | 15 |
| Man City | 2011/12 | 15 |
| Man City | 2009/10 | 15 |
| Man Utd | 2007/08 | 15 |
Now, Arsenal are said to be in a strong position to sign a striker who could make Nicolas Jover look even better in Benjamin Sesko.
Benjamin Sesko would thrive in Arsenal’s dead ball orientated setup
Ben Jacobs recently claimed that Arsenal believe they are in a strong position to sign the Slovenia international – who has a £55m release clause.
Speaking on The Done Deal Show, the respected journalist said: “Arsenal felt they'd won the race against the other suitors, but the player decided it was better to stay at Leipzig and not rush that (last summer).
"Now, if he's available on the market again, Arsenal feel they're in a very strong position. If (Alexander) Isak, the dream target, becomes unattainable, then there could be a situation where Arsenal turn to Benjamin Sesko, but in the summer.”
Whether Arsenal sign the RB Leipzig No.30 now or in the summer, his towering 6ft 5in frame and his ability to use it effectively would surely make him a dream striker for Jover and Mikel Arteta – as shown in his third goal below.
Sesko – who Chelsea also like – has scored 12 headed goals throughout his career at the age of just 21.
That may not seem a lot to some people, although it’s worth noting that Peter Crouch set a Premier League record with 53 headed goals, which took him 468 games to achieve, so in that respect, 12 by the age of 21 is pretty impressive from the Slovenian.
Gary Neville fed up with Nicolas Jover
Jover is highly thought of at Arsenal – with fans even creating a mural for the dead ball specialist.
However, Gary Neville recently hit out at the 43-year-old on The Overlap, accusing him of attention seeking.
The Sky Sports pundit said: “It’s offending me every week. I’m going to say this really calmly, I think he’s overreaching his importance. If a goalkeeper makes a good save, I don’t see the goalkeeping coach on the edge of the touchline. I don’t see the other coaches going up and getting the glory for it.
“That’s how I feel. I get he’s important and he’s doing a great job but I do genuinely think he needs to sit back a little bit. I think the players will start to look at him as well and think, hang on a minute, come on.”
