Exclusive: Arsenal scouts flew out to watch £55m striker score two goals in the Champions League

10/03/2024 03:15 AM

• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Arsenal's impressive 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday evening hasn't been the club's only involvement with the Champions League this week.

Mikel Arteta's side made it four points from two group stage games after Arsenal secured another clean sheet against the French champions, essentially winning the game in the first half.

Arteta has needed to lean on his whole squad at Arsenal after some unfortunate injuries so far this season.

Mikel Merino made his debut at the Emirates, and the likes of Jakub Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Skelly also came on after the break.

That being said, Gabriel Jesus once again only appeared as a late sub, a striker with an increasingly diminishing role, and that perhaps explains why Arsenal remain on the hunt for a new number nine.

And to that end, TBR Football understands that Arsenal were one of a host of clubs in Leipzig on Wednesday to see Juventus win 3-2.

Arsenal scouted Benjamin Sesko and Dusan Vlahovic in Champions League

Arsenal were primarily at the game to check on Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, a player they were seriously interested in this summer.

But Arsenal scouts were also in place to watch Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic, with both netting braces on a dramatic night of Champions League football.

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Arsenal have tried to sign both physically imposing strikers over the past two years, and must have been impressed with what they saw once again.

More than 20 clubs across Europe were present at Wednesday's game with Sesko believed to be the main focus of the majority of visitors.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle were also represented at the game, explaining the rich talent on show.

Sesko is the last piece of the puzzle for Arsenal

Were Arsenal to add a striker in January or next summer, the choice between Sesko or Vlahovic may divide fan opinion.

Sesko had an active release clause of £55m this summer, but ultimately wasn't quite ready to leave the Bundesliga just yet, a smart decision given his goal scoring this season.

But at 21-years-old, it's clear that Sesko has such a bright career ahead, someone who may be able to go one step further than Vlahovic.

Vlahovic himself is still only 24, either striker would be an excellent addition to Arteta's squad, but it's hard not to conclude that the former has a higher ceiling.

That being said, Clarence Seedorf was amazed by Kai Havertz during Arsenal's win over PSG, Arteta's trusted first choice.