Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has provided his thoughts on Victor Osimhen to Arsenal.
What has been said about Victor Osimhen?
The journalist spoke on a potential move away from Napoli to the Emirates for the 24-year-old striker.
As per GIVEMESPORT, Taylor said:
“If we’re talking purely from a fantasy perspective, I think Arsenal would be a great option for Osimhen.
“But, I don’t envisage them to be shopping for a striker particularly given how well Eddie Nketiah done when he came in, you’ve got Gabriel Jesus coming back, who is going to be the first choice, and you’ve even got Folarin Balogun. So, I think that’s off the table.”
Arsenal’s current attacking squad depth, particularly when Balogun returns from his loan with Will Still’s Stade de Reims, where he has scored 17 goals in 27 Ligue 1 appearances, is very strong.
The Gunners need reinforcements in other areas of the pitch, particularly in the midfield, and so their priority is likely to lie elsewhere.
How has Osimhen performed this season?
If the north London side do make a surprise move for the Lagos-born striker, then there will be high hopes. Osimhen, described as “phenomenal” by Walter Mazzarri, has 25 goal contributions in just 23 Serie A matches this season.
The 24-year-old also ranks second out of Napoli’s performers this season with an average rating of 7.60, via WhoScored – only just behind Kvicha Kvaratskhelia (7.64).
There is no doubt of Osimhen’s ability, which has led the Ciucciarelli to Serie A success and to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. In fact, as per FBref, the £93k-per-week striker is placed within the top 1% of players for non-penalty goals, non-penalty expected goals, and total shots – this means that he is getting into good positions consistently and finishing the chances too.
The Nigeria international has demonstrated his strengths throughout the season and, as per FBref, this has drawn similarities to strikers such as Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski. This comparison shows that the €100m-rated (£88m) forward can compete with the best.
He is a different type of striker to Arsenal’s current crop, but this is where he could excel. Despite Mikel Arteta’s resistance to play two strikers together, a partnership with Jesus could prove fruitful, as the Brazilian likes to drop deeper into pockets of space – having a natural finisher such as Osimhen on the end of his chances would not be a bad thing for the Gunners faithful.