“We sold him for a peanut and now he’s among the best strikers in the world, we regret selling him and we’ll bring him back by all means”: Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has revealed his biggest regret as an Arsenal coach as the player he sold for ‘a peanut’ is now the most-wanted striker in the world
Arsenal are planning to spend big to sign a striker in the next transfer window, having failed with a swoop for Benjamin Sesko last summer.
The Gunners have shortlisted centre-forwards like Alexander Isak, Victor Osimhen, Liam Delap, and Sesko to plug the gaping hole.
Arsenal pair Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus led the line for manager Mikel Arteta this season, but they have been quite disappointing, prompting a move for a new striker.
Interestingly, while the Gunners plan to swoop for a striker, one on their books for four years is thriving in Ligue 1 after being shown the exit door of the Emirates Stadium.
Monaco star Mika Biereth has taken Ligue 1 by storm and looks unstoppable since joining in January from Sturm Graz. He has netted 10 goals this year. No one has more goals than the Danish Youth international in Europe’s top five leagues in 2025.
Biereth netted a hat-trick as Monaco beat Stade Reims 3-0 yesterday. Outstandingly, it was his third treble in seven games for Les Monagesques.
The 22-year-old is the first player in 70 years in Ligue 1 to score three hat-tricks in his first seven games.
GFFN gave him a 9/10 rating after his latest showing, saying, “He has a pure striker’s instinct for where the ball will fall in the box, and he has the composure to stick the ball home. Not overly involved in build-up, he is the fox-in-the-box that was missing from this Monaco side. Another ruthless performance.
Biereth is the first player to score 10 goals in his first seven appearances in Ligue 1 in the 21st century, surpassing Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2012 (nine goals). He could mount an unlikely challenge for the Golden Boot despite joining in January.
Arsenal let him walk for a mere €4 million – peanuts in the market today. While the Gunners scramble to splash over ten times that amount on a new striker, they may regret overlooking a homegrown solution.
If Biereth keeps this up, his name will be spoken in the same breath as Europe’s elite, while Arteta and Arsenal are left wondering what could have been.
Arsenal fans have seen this story before. Serge Gnabry, Donyell Malen, and Ismael Bennacer left for peanuts, only to shine elsewhere.
If Biereth continues his meteoric rise, Arsenal’s decision to cash in early will look increasingly foolish. Arteta will only have himself to blame.
