25/01/2026

SUNDAY | JAN 25, 2026

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Why big-money strikers are struggling

VIKTOR GYOKERES

Gyokeres, Sesko have underperformed early in the Premier League after a new trend, Arteta and Carrick could start both on the bench tomorrow

BENJAMIN SESKO

BY MIGUEL DELANEY

EARLIER in 2025, Manchester United were stunned when they were told a deal for Benjamin Sesko might be on. That was because they were one of many clubs that fully expected the Slovenian to go to Arsenal. That had been the word for over a year. It is instead Viktor Gyokeres who occupies the Arsenal striker position. Or, at least, he has occupied it. Gyokeres’s superb goal against Inter Milan couldn’t have been more timely, since Gabriel Jesus scored twice to bol ster the debate that the Brazilian should be Mikel Arteta’s starting No. 9. The fact that Sesko had been the alternative, however, is no longer part of that debate. The younger forward has endured similar struggles. So while the build-up to tomorrow’s meeting might previously have been about whether Sesko or Gyokeres could have started for the other team, there is now the possibility neither starts at all. That would primarily be down to how they’re not scoring enough, but they’re not alone there, either. One of the season’s trends has been how almost all of the summer’s major striker signings have encountered chal lenges in different ways. Only Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike has so far been a widely considered success, with eight goals. Even if you add his finishes to the collective 12 of Sesko, Gyokeres, Liam Delap and Alexander Isak, it is still only 20 – the same as Erling Haaland. That imbalance displays what the rest have to try to replicate. Even Brentford’s Igor Thiago has more than the collective: Delap, who has spent

fill a new gap. It is why those clubs still describe the Delap move as a “no-brainer”, given he was available for a mere £30 million (RM163m) release clause. That’s less than half of everyone else’s price, other than the £55 million (RM298m) Gyokeres. Many are now wondering whether Delap regrets going to Chelsea, given the conveyor belt of other attackers there. United still feel he would have been right for them. The lower fee made all the more sense given the questions about the ability of all the strikers – other than Isak – to step up and score regularly for a big Premier League club. It is perhaps instructive that Leeds United are con tent with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose stock had fallen. Such questions aren’t completely an issue of talent, though. If a space has been created for No. 9s again, the posi tion doesn’t have the same contours. Pressing has ensured it really isn’t about scoring. Academies are meanwhile still adjusting to new realities, which means they don’t yet truly develop killer fin ishers in the way the sport itself used to hone naturally. This evolution has forced an unfair disconnect between expectation and execution, as Sesko found in a Ruben Amorim team that didn’t play to his strengths. You could see why the Portuguese wanted Watkins. Old Trafford sources counter that now by pointing to the instant transformation in Sesko – with his two goals against Burnley – once the

months out injured, Isak, who is now out injured for months, Sesko and Gyokeres have a combined 16. Since they have all had different issues, Delap and Isak have had signifi cant injuries, with the latter obviously enduring other initial fitness issues after his controversial move. Sesko is just 22 and adapting to a new team at a difficult time, while Gyokeres adapts to a significant step-up in league. Their struggles nevertheless say something more about the market and the evolution of forwards right now. The search for No. 9s was the main theme of the summer window, and that was partly because there was a sudden glut of such players available, at the same time as coaches recalibrated tac tics to create space for them. Strikers were back. Except, there’s now a sense that sup ply and demand didn’t quite align – in terms of both the players signed and the way that teams play. Five clubs – United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United – were all looking at seven options: Sesko, Gyokeres, Ekitike, Isak, Delap, Ollie Watkins and Victor Osimhen. Newcastle eventually went for Nick Woltemade, whose midfield abilities ensure he isn’t seen in the same way. It is similar to Joao Pedro, due to his range of positions. Woltemade’s £65 million (RM352m) switch nevertheless shows how this push for forwards obviously inflated prices, bringing a premium that didn’t necessarily reflect quality. Clubs still felt they just had to make the moves, to

team actually got the ball to him. United would otherwise have gone for Ekitike, and rival clubs generally saw him as the most advanced option outside Isak. Except, it was quickly clear that he really wanted Liverpool. The refusal to test that is seen as another sign of evolution at Old Trafford. In previous times, they would have just offered more money. Many at Arsenal remain adamant that Gyokeres is the right choice. Arteta appreciates many aspects of his work, pointing to this evolved role. There have been some frustrations at how the ball “doesn’t stick to him”, as well as an unwillingness to “gamble” by running into the box. The latter is largely seen as a confi dence issue, which is why it’s hoped a recent return of two in three – one close-range against Chelsea, one long range against Inter – may ignite Gyokeres. Sesko has had similar confidence issues. Goals weren’t quite Arsenal’s prob lem, after all. The real issue was depth, and those few games when it wasn’t working. This is what Gyokeres is for. Arsenal may now have the cover to compensate. For all the rationalisations, though, there’s a simple reality. If Arsenal had Haaland, they’d probably be 12 points clear. That’s even allowing for recent form. There just aren’t many Haalands, as the summer showed. That might be even clearer if neither Sesko nor Gyokeres start tomorrow’s game. – The Independent

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