Mikel Arteta
Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Arsenal are chasing a player they don't need in Victor Osimhen, if reports are accurate. The Gunners got off to a strong start in their Premier League opener, defeating Coventry City 3-0 thanks to goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. The win added to their dominant Community Shield win over Manchester City the week before.
But the Gunners squad is not yet complete, with Mikel Arteta still hoping to sign an attacker before the end of the transfer window, and preferably a left-winger, Christos Tzolis has impressed since arriving to replace Leandro Trossard, but Arteta has wanted a truly elite option on the left side, which is the reason Trossard left in the first place.
In the meantime, FootMercato have claimed the Gunners have expressed an interest in Galatasaray striker Osimhen, who is widely recognised as one of the best goalscorers in the world. The report claims Arsenal are 'in talks' over a deal, but it will not be possible unless the striker reduces his wages from the current €20million package he receives in Turkiye.
Arsenal don't need Osimhen signing enough to justify it
Victor Osimhen celebrating after scoring for Galatasaray against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League
Victor Osimhen celebrating after scoring for Galatasaray against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League
But Arsenal need to ask themselves whether this is the transfer they need, if they really are in for the former Napoli superstar. Sure, it's nice to have a striker like Osimhen, but Arsenal have two good options in Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz that they can certainly get by with, as shown last season.
Havertz offers a lot to Arsenal's system of play, and he can also find the net, as he did with a fine finish on Friday night, while Gyokeres has also learned how to best fit into Arteta's system while providing more than 20 goals last season, and it feels as though there is more to come.
Osimhen's impressive league scoring record
2026/27 (Ongoing) - 2 games, 4 goals
2025/26 - 22 games, 15 goals
2024/25 - 30 games, 26 goals
2023/24 - 25 games, 15 goals
2022/23 - 32 games, 26 goals
Gabriel Jesus may need replacing, likely with a younger striker, but Arsenal do not need to go out and pay silly money for a new striker. What they need is a superstar of a left-winger to complete their attack. If a top striker comes up that they are desperate for like Julian Alvarez then a deal would make sense, but signing Osimhen would be adding a top player for the sake of it, and at great cost.
It's a luxury Arsenal can live without, and it's the type of signing that will restrict them from big signings in the coming years, given how much they have spent over recent windows.
Arsenal spent weeks trying to sign Gyokeres last season for a reason, and they addressed their striker issue in doing so. There is always better, and the Gunners should always re-evaluate, but not after one season, and not when they have a clearly bigger issue that they should be prioritising. Tzolis is a very, very good player. But against truly elite teams like PSG and Bayern Munich, this Arsenal attack will remain lopsided until a world-class and experienced left-winger is signed.
Ian Wright
Ian Wright