The likes of David Raya, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber have all played their part in taking the club forward, but when it comes to the Spaniard's best signing, one name stands out above all others: Declan Rice.
declan-rice-arsenal-champions-league
There was plenty of pressure on the former West Ham United captain's shoulders when he moved to the Emirates for a club-record £105m in 2023, but since then, he's more than proven his worth, as exemplified by his two Man of the Match Awards against Real Madrid in the Champions League this month.
So, fans should be excited about recent reports suggesting the manager could be about to make his best signing since the Englishman.
Arsenal transfer news
Regardless of what happens in Europe, this summer looks set to be a massive one for Arsenal, and as such, the club have been linked with a whole host of extraordinary players, such as Nico Williams.
nico-williams-arsenal-premier-league
According to reports from late last week, the Gunners have maintained their intense interest in the Spanish international and would be willing to activate his £50m release clause, which could be a fair price considering he's scored 11 goals and provided seven assists in 42 games this term.
Another talented winger from Spain who has reportedly caught the North Londoners' attention in recent weeks is Real Betis youngster Jesús Rodríguez, who has a release clause of around £42m in his current deal.
However, while there is plenty of excitement around the 19-year-old, he is far rawer than the Athletic Bilbao star, and with just four goal involvements in 25 senior appearances this season, he might be too big of a gamble, which some might have said about Benjamin Šeško a couple of years ago.
Yes, according to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, it's now claimed that the RB Leipzig dynamo, who was also a target last summer, is said to hold 'strong interest' in joining the Gunners this summer.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko before taking a penalty
In fact, the report goes a step further, revealing that talks have already taken place between the player's camp and new Sporting Director Andrea Berta as the Gunners look to make a fast start to the upcoming transfer window.
Regarding a potential fee, the story reiterates reports that the Slovenian has a £58m release clause in his current deal, which, given his age and output this season, may prove to be a bargain a few years from now.
It would still require a significant investment from Arsenal, but Šeško looks like a player worth bringing to the Emirates, and he could even end up being Arteta's best signing since Rice.
Why Šeško would be Arsenal's best signing since Rice
So, when it really comes down to it, there are two reasons why Šeško would be Arsenal's best signing since Rice, and the first is his output.
For example, despite it being his first campaign in a top-five league, the Slovenian "monster," as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, managed to rack up an impressive tally of 18 goals and two assists in 42 first-team appearances, totalling just 2057 minutes.
That means the Radeče-born phenomenon managed to maintain an average of a goal involvement every 2.1 games or every 102.85 minutes, which, again, is undeniably impressive for his first season in the big-time.
Sesko's RB Leipzig record
Season
23/24
24/25
Appearances
42
41
Starts
22
37
Miniutes
2057'
3041'
Goals
18
20
Assists
2
6
Goal Involvements per Match
0.47
0.63
Minutes per Goal Involvement
102.85'
116.96'
All Stats via Transfermarkt
This season, he's managed to score 20 goals and provide six assists in just 41 appearances, totalling 3041 appearances, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.57 games, or every 116.96 minutes.
Just imagine the level of output at the tip of this Arsenal side, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and a recently rejuvenated Gabriel Martinelli, or even Nico Williams, around him - he'd surely be the 20-goal-a-season striker the team so desperately need.
Now, that alone could be what makes the former RB Salzburg gem the Gunners' best signing since Rice.
However, what makes him an even more attractive acquisition is that he's still just 21 years old and 6 foot 5, so not only could he get exponentially better over the next five to six years, but he also should have the physicality to thrive in the Premier League.
Ultimately, while he's not going to be cheap, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Šeško this summer, as he might be just the player they need to reach that next level.
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