Victor Osimhen to Arsenal: Can the Super Eagles striker fit into Mikel Arteta’s style?

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has seen his name pop up on Arsenal’s radar as the Gunners continue their search for a goalscorer, Afrik-Foot reports.

According to the Evening Standard, the Nigerian’s availability was discussed during talks between Arsenal and Galatasaray, with the Gunners also pursuing a possible deal involving Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri.

It remains far from an imminent transfer. Galatasaray have rejected a €130 million offer from Al-Hilal for Osimhen and have made clear they do not intend to negotiate over the 27-year-old.

Still, the mention of his name in Arsenal’s discussions is enough to raise an eyebrow.

Arteta has admitted Arsenal are actively looking for an attacking addition, saying:

“There are very few players in the market that are available to do that and bring that to the club.”

What Victor Osimhen offers Arsenal

The easiest way to misunderstand Osimhen is to view him as a striker who waits for chances in the box. He does not. Instead, the ex-Napoli man forces the issue.

His relentless pressing can turn Arsenal’s attack into a defensive weapon. He occupies defenders, attacks space and can create opportunities through his physical aggression even when the chance does not exist.

He’s also a threat in the air. Crosses, cut-backs, long passes and second balls all become more dangerous when Arsenal have a striker capable of overpowering defenders and bringing in wingers like Saka and Tzolis into play.

Osimhen vs Gyökeres: the difference

The comparison with Viktor Gyökeres is inevitable, but the two forwards should not be treated as interchangeable versions of the same striker.

Both occupy defenders. Both possess the physical strength to compete with Premier League centre-backs, and can find the back of the net, but their attacking instincts are different.

Gyökeres is more comfortable waiting for the right moment to receive the ball and finish the move. His movement can take him away from defenders, but his biggest value comes when Arsenal create chances that he’s able to convert.

Osimhen is more proactive. He makes repeated aggressive movements and is prepared to turn an apparently harmless situation into a dangerous one.

That means while Gyökeres waits for the opportunity, Osimhen is more likely to help manufacture it, all alone too.

Neither profile is superior, but Osimhen arguably has more dimensions to his game when Arsenal need to disrupt an opponent.

Would Osimhen fit Mikel Arteta?

The challenge is that Arteta demands enormous tactical discipline from his forwards.

Osimhen would have to understand when to stay high, when to link play, when to press and when to make space for Arsenal’s wide players and attacking midfielders. Without a doubt, that’ll be a problem for the Nigerian.

His hunger to chase the ball at every turn, which leads him to be a very good presser, is the same factor that makes him wander offside at several turns, a factor he mostly doesn’t realise as he demands the ball even in these positions.

On the flip side, Arsenal’s possession game could actually give Osimhen more opportunities to showcase his strengths.

With players such as Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard capable of supplying the final ball, Osimhen would have the service required to attack the penalty area.

The real question for Arsenal

Gyökeres can finish the chances Arsenal create, the same way Osimhen can, but the ex-VFL Wolfsburg striker offers more. He can press, bully defenders, attack crosses, compete in the air and force the opposition into uncomfortable situations.

If Arteta wants another striker to fit seamlessly into the existing structure, there may be little reason to make such a dramatic move, but if Arsenal want a forward capable of changing the nature of their attack, Victor Osimhen should be their priority signing.

For now, the Nigerian’s name appears to be part of a wider transfer conversation rather than a concrete Arsenal pursuit.

Whether or not an official bid will be made is currently unknown, but with Galatasaray turning Al-Hilal down, there’s very little doubt they’ll do the same to the Gunners, except Osimhen makes it clear that he wants the move to happen.