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Arsenal looked to be leaning in the direction of signing a couple of weeks ago when reports emerged that they had had over a deal.

That line did go cold somewhat, with the first of two summer transfer windows closing for six days before reopening on Monday, with Viktor Gyokeres once again being heavily linked with the Gunners.

However, much like last summer, have baulked at the price tag on the Swede's shoulders and that may well see them .

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has age in his favour when it comes to comparisons with Gyokeres, having just turned 22. He is four years younger than Gyokeres.

is also playing in one of the big five European leagues, having spent the last two years in the Bundesliga with Leipzig. That experience is not something Gyokeres has, having moved from the Championship with Coventry City to the Portuguese league with Sporting CP two years ago.

And it is that experience of the German league which may well see Arsenal make Sesko their number one priority this summer over Gyokeres, despite the overwhelming goalscoring statistics in the Swede's favour.

Emile Smith Rowe may no longer play for Arsenal, but he was highly regarded at the Emirates Stadium and was sent out on loan to Leipzig in 2019 at the age of 19. The loan did not go quite to plan, with the teenager playing just three times due to some injury issues, but what academy director Per Mertesacker said when he made the temporary switch is telling.

"I think for Smith Rowe that it is really important to see him go on loan for half a year to see him have this great experience in the Bundesliga," Mertesacker told . "That sits right below the Premier League, in terms of tempo.

"I think to go from the Under-23s to Germany and then coming back to the Premier League gives a good step between."

The fact Mertesacker saw the Bundesliga as being just below the Premier League in terms of tempo is key. Sesko has spent the last two seasons in Germany, honing his game and has been compared to Erling Haaland, given his speed and stature.

There may yet be some twists and turns when it comes to Arsenal's striker transfer pursuit, but the feeling six years ago was that Germany was a good stepping stone for young players to the Premier League and that thought process probably still rings true.