As of February 2026, Viktor Gyokeres has officially completed more successful sprints than any other human being in the Premier League, while Benjamin Sesko is currently jumping higher than the average NBA small forward just to win headers.
We are no longer watching mere footballers; we are witnessing a glitch in the athletic matrix. While the world was busy mourning the decline of the traditional number nine, these two physical anomalies arrived in England to prove that the "super-striker" era hasn't ended—it has just been upgraded.
One is a 22-year-old Slovenian prodigy with a sky-high ceiling; the other is a 27-year-old Swedish powerhouse in the absolute prime of his life. As we cross the midway point of the season in February 2026, the debate has moved from potential to cold, hard production.
🔢📈The Statistical Standoff: Production in the Final Third 🎯📉⚽
To settle the score, we must look at the verified data from their debut seasons in England. While both players have faced the steep learning curve of the Premier League, their paths to goal have been markedly different.
Viktor Gyokeres currently holds the edge in total output, having found the net 11 times across all competitions for Arsenal, including 6 in the Premier League and 4 in the Champions League. He averages a goal every 142 minutes and maintains a shooting accuracy of 54.6%.
Benjamin Sesko has been equally vital for Manchester United, netting 6 goals in all competitions, with 5 of those coming in the Premier League. While his total goal tally is lower than Gyokeres’, his efficiency in the air is staggering.
Interestingly, the Slovenian has the superior physical presence in the air, winning 50.5% of his aerial duels, a massive gap compared to Gyokeres, who has won just 30.8% of his battles in the air.
For a team like United that relies on verticality, Sesko’s aerial dominance makes him a unique tactical weapon.
🧠🛡️Tactical Profiles: The Target Man vs. The Chaos Agent ⚔️📋🏃
The better striker often depends on what a manager demands from their front line. For Mikel Arteta, Gyokeres has become the ultimate pressing machine.
The Swede leads the Premier League in high pressures applied in the final third and has made 54 off-the-ball runs into the penalty area this season. He is not just a finisher; he is a tactical battering ram that creates space for Arsenal’s inverted wingers through sheer industrial work rate.
At Old Trafford, Sesko offers a verticality that Manchester United has lacked for years. Standing at 195 cm, he operates as a traditional hub.
His ability to bring others into play is reflected in his 1.60 shots on target per 90 minutes, suggesting that when the ball reaches him, he is significantly more likely to test the goalkeeper than his Swedish counterpart.
Despite seeing fewer total minutes, Sesko’s presence forces defences to drop deeper, opening lanes for United's creative midfielders.
🎯⚖️The Efficiency Gap: Clinical Finishing vs. Volume 🥅🧤⚡
A closer look at the underlying metrics reveals a surprising truth: while Gyokeres has more goals, Sesko is arguably the more natural finisher.
As of February 2026, Gyokeres has slightly underperformed his Expected Goals (xG) in the league, recording 6 goals from an xG of 7.08.
This suggests he requires a higher volume of chances to convert. Sesko, meanwhile, has been much more clinical with the limited service he receives, scoring 5 league goals from an xG of 5.98.
His shooting accuracy remains steady despite often taking shots from more difficult, contested positions.
🏆👑Final Verdict: Who Reigns Supreme? 🥇⭐🤴
If the question is who is better right now, Viktor Gyokeres takes the crown. His 11 goals and relentless work rate have been vital to Arsenal's push for the title.
However, if the question is who you would rather build a team around, Benjamin Sesko wins. At just 22, he is matching the efficiency of established veterans while possessing physical tools—particularly in the air—that simply cannot be coached.
The Premier League is lucky to have both, but for now, the Swede's chaos factor gives him the slight edge in the title race.
🔗 You can check out today’s games here on MSport.
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