Arsenal are in the market for a new No.9 this summer, although the player who eventually comes in may not actually wear the No.9 shirt.
Gabriel Jesus is the current incumbent of that particular squad number and although there have been question marks over his future at the club, with huge speculation over a move away from north London last year, he is likely to remain at the club this summer after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury that ended his season in January.
Jesus is not expected back until late 2025, although he did post an update on his recovery earlier this week.
The Brazilian’s injury, coupled with Kai Havertz’s injury, left Arsenal woefully short of options up front in the second half of the season, with Mikel Merino often utilised as a makeshift striker.
Now Arsenal are looking to add strength in depth to their forward line, with many pundits suggesting the lack of a goalscorer is the one thing stopping the Gunners from making the next step and winning the Premier League title.
They have come so close in each of the last three seasons, finishing as runners-up to Manchester City twice and Liverpool this season.
Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres have been earmarked as potential signings to fill the void up front in the summer transfer window, with Arsenal reportedly in “concrete” talks with RB Leipzig over a £92.5million deal to sign Sesko.
Gyokeres remains on the club’s radar, but if it is to be Sesko he can immediately wear his dream shirt number at the Emirates Stadium without any trouble.
Sesko has worn the No.30 shirt for the past five seasons, wearing it during his entire time at RB Salzburg before doing so in the last two seasons with Leipzig too.
The No.30 jersey is now vacant at the Emirates Stadium, after Arsenal revealed their released and retained list for the start of the 2025/26 season on Wednesday.
Raheem Sterling was wearing the shirt this season, but he was only on loan from Chelsea for the campaign and is returning to west London upon the completion of that loan contract at the end of June.
