Osimhen over Gyökeres? The transfer call haunting Arsenal’s title push

Arsenal still sit top of the Premier League table as of mid-April 2026, but the mood around the club has changed sharply. What once looked like a smooth march to the title is now turning into a tense and uncertain run-in.

The 2-1 home defeat to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday may prove to be a defining moment. It was a game that could have stretched their lead to 12 points. Instead, it gave chasing Manchester City fresh hope and belief.

For a team that has led the title race for so long, this sudden wobble has raised familiar questions. Why are Arsenal struggling at the most important time of the season?

The answers are not simple, but several key problems stand out.

First, injuries have hit hard. Key players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard were missing against Bournemouth, and their absence was clear. Arsenal lacked creativity, rhythm and cutting edge in attack. At the back, concerns around Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba have also disrupted defensive stability.

Second, there is the issue of fatigue. Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi have carried a huge workload in midfield. As the season has gone on, the intensity has dropped slightly, and that small dip can be costly in tight title races.

Then comes the mental side. This Arsenal team has shown quality all season, but recent results suggest pressure is beginning to tell. Defeats in cup competitions, including a Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City and a shock FA Cup exit, have added to a sense of tension. April, once again, is proving difficult under Mikel Arteta.

Tactically, there are also questions. Arsenal have often dominated games but failed to turn that control into clear wins. The system depends heavily on precision and movement, but when key players are missing or tired, it can look predictable.

All of this has combined to loosen their grip on the title.

Arsenal’s Osimhen question: A missed piece of the puzzle?

As Arsenal search for answers, one debate keeps returning; what if they had signed Victor Osimhen last summer?

Instead, the club brought in Viktor Gyökeres, a striker who fits Arteta’s style. He presses well, links play, and has contributed goals. But in moments like this, when titles are decided, something seems to be missing.

Osimhen represents a different kind of striker. He is direct, aggressive and ruthless in front of goal. When chances are few and pressure is high, he has built a reputation for delivering. The Super Eagles striker has been a part of two title-winning teams in Napoli and Galatasaray and his experience could have been key in dragging the Gunners over the line. He is a fighter, a one-man army, and a ‘mentality monster’, qualities that could have been beneficial to Arsenal at this hour.

That is where many believe Arsenal have fallen short.

In tight games and big moments, they have lacked a leader in attack. Gyökeres has scored goals, but questions remain about his impact in decisive matches. Osimhen, by contrast, has shown a stronger record in high-stakes games, especially in Europe.

There is also the physical side. Against deep defences, Arsenal sometimes struggle to break teams down. Osimhen’s aerial strength and presence in the box could have offered a different option, a plan B when intricate passing fails.

The decision last summer was clear for Arteta and Arsenal. The Londoners chose a striker who fits the Spanish manager’s system. But football is not always about systems alone. Sometimes, it is about personality and moments – the one chance, the one goal that changes everything.

Right now, as Arsenal’s title charge begins to wobble, that decision is under fresh scrutiny. Osimhen’s form at Galatasaray only adds to the feeling of a missed opportunity.

If Arsenal fall short in the title race, this season may not just be remembered for injuries or fatigue. It may also be remembered for the striker they did not sign, and the goals that might have made the difference.