Arsenal are yet to backdown on Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen
In terms of the profile of striker who would fit the most neatly into the system Arteta has constructed at the Emirates, the prospective centre-forward would share many traits with Jesus and Havertz, two players who have had mixed results at the point of the Gunners’ attack this term.
A high level of athleticism and the energy and discipline to lead the team in a high press is crucial in the out-of-possession phase. With the ball, any incoming Arsenal striker would ideally be able to drop off the front line to link with Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice in midfield and possess the creativity to conjure scoring opportunities for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli coming inside from the wings.
If Arsenal’s next No.9 can tick all those boxes while also being a more reliable finisher than Jesus and Havertz, they’ll represent exactly the type of upgrade Arteta needs – think prime Roberto Firmino at Liverpool.
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Napoli’s Osimhen does not tick all of those boxes. He is not a Firmino-esque facilitator. He is not as nuanced a pressing leader as Havertz. He does not often drift deep to augment the midfield.
He is, however, one of the best goal-scorers in world football and the kind of talent that could transform Arsenal’s attack with what he is good at – putting the ball in the net, something he’s done 76 times in 132 appearances for Napoli.
Signing Osimhen would not be cheap. The Nigerian has a £113 million release cluse in his contract at the Stadio San Paolo and Napoli are likely to demand the full figure. And competition for his signature will be stiff, with Chelsea long-time admirers of the 25-year-old former Lille star.
But Arsenal proved last summer with their pursuit of Declan Rice that they are not afraid to spend big on a potentially transformative player.
Adding Osimhen to Arteta’s attack would require some recalibration, with the likes of Saka and Martinelli needing to adapt to roles that emphasise creativity over scoring. It would be more than worth the rethink, though. Osimhen’s elite movement, instinctive finishing, powerful strike and aerial prowess would level-up Arsenal’s attack more than any other realistic target.
