Mikel Arteta has revealed why Arsenal opted to sign Viktor Gyokeres ahead of Benjamin Sesko in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal explored the possibility of signing Sesko but instead opted to sign Gyokeres from Sporting CP last summer in a £64 million deal.
Sesko, meanwhile, also made the move to the Premier League with Manchester United agreeing a £73.7m fee with RB Leipzig.
Gyokeres, 27, has scored nine goals in 27 appearances for Arsenal this season, while Sesko, 22, has found the net five times in 19 games for United.
The Sweden international has been criticised for his performances this season, with Michael Owen claiming earlier this month that Arsenal may already be looking to replace their summer signing.
However, Arteta insists Arsenal are ‘very happy’ with their decision to bring Gyokeres to the club.
Asked why Arsenal opted to sign Gyokeres ahead of Sesko, Arteta said: ‘Well, at the end, we have to make a decision, and we believed that Victor was the best one in the scenario that we were in.
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‘The qualities that we didn’t have in that number nine as well, because we have the situation with Gabby and Kai out for many, many months, and we are very happy to have him.’
Asked what qualities he wanted to sign in a striker, Arteta replied: ‘Well, first of all, goals. Someone that can guarantee you goals.
‘We know that word doesn’t exist, but then someone very direct, very powerful, a proper nine who can stretch the pitch, who has the goal between the eyes, and somebody that can stretch the pitch for us a bit more, especially when we have to play against certain opposition.’
Arteta, however, was reluctant to give his verdict on Gyokeres’ season so far.
‘It’s very early to assess,’ Arteta said.
‘I mean, let’s assess at the end of the season and something like that. Even a very short sample.
‘And understanding as well the league that we are competing and what is happening with the nines across the league as well, in the manner that the game is changing.
‘So there are a lot of factors there to bear in mind to assess the player and then we’re going to assess the player not only with one of the aspects of the game but in many aspects of the game.’
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