Benjamin Sesko idolized Zlatan Ibrahimovic, was told he was ‘better’ than Erling Haaland and could be Arsenal’s striker solution

Benjamin Sesko is one of the most exciting players heading into Euro 2024 this summer.

The RB Leipzig striker scored seven goals in seven games to close out the Bundesliga season, seeing him finish with 14 goals in just 17 starts.

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He played for Leipzig in his first campaign at the club after leaving RB Salzburg, and at just 20 years old he has a very, very bright future ahead of him.

Sesko will aim to continue his goalscoring form at the European Championship where they are expected to face England in the group stage.

During qualifying for the tournament, he scored five goals and provided two assists for Slovenia and will pose a major threat for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions to face.

Standing at 6-foot-4, Sesko is a huge physical presence but still possesses incredible technical ability and speed on the court.

This has led to comparisons to Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, with even his Leipzig teammates comparing the two.

Sesko joined Salzburg following Haaland’s departure and he spoke about the comparison at the club, saying: “Such comparisons motivate me and give me energy.

“They are no pressure. I will listen and learn so I can be even better than him.

“My teammates at the club tell me that Haaland and I are very similar, especially in terms of speed. Most even tell me that I’m better than him! »

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His similarity to Haaland led him to use the Premier League Golden Boot winner as an example, but it’s another striker he idolizes.

Sesko grew up with iconic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic as his role model.

He watched videos of the former Barcelona, ​​Manchester United, AC Milan and PSG star, but not because of the way he played.

“Zlatan Ibrahimovic was my idol,” he told the Guardian last year.

“I’m not saying I play like him but he was having fun, having fun on the field, doing what he wanted to do. It makes me really happy when I see this kind of player.

“Every video I could find, I watched.”

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So, with Sesko’s playing style similar to Haaland’s and his attitude towards football inspired by Ibrahimovic, he is primed to become a star.

And his stats already back that up, with some of the best teams in the world now interested in signing him.

Two of those teams are Arsenal and Chelsea, with the Slovenian a long-term target for the Premier League giants.

talkSPORT understands Chelsea are considering a summer move with Sesko as an alternative option to Victor Osimhen.

And a battle is set to ensue, with the Gunners looking to establish themselves first with a new striker their top priority this summer.

Sesko has emerged as an option for Mikel Arteta’s side who could shed Eddie Nketiah to bring in a new leader.

His release clause at Leipzig is set at around £64million, but Arteta could be happy to pay that sum to get his man back.

Arsenal would like a more physical striker to add a different dimension to their attack and Sesko appears to be the perfect match.

Haaland has arguably been the difference between the Gunners and a Premier League title over the past two years, so now they may have to look to the next best thing to finally beat Man City for the trophy.

And they will view Euro 2024 as the perfect opportunity to see Sesko on the biggest stage again.