Is Victor Osimhen Arsenal’s missing piece of the puzzle?

The need for a new striker has been keenly felt throughout this season, with a number of different players instead chipping in with the scoring load. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, 20 and 21 years old respectively, are the leading goal scorers for Arsenal this season. That should tell us enough.

Yet even while the wingers and midfielders, including Martinelli and Odegaard, have contributed, the absence of a dominating force up front has been painfully clear to see.

Even towards the end of last season and the beginning of this one, Aubameyang’s deficiencies came to the fore. His strengths did not align with Arteta’s vision. Aubameyang got into good scoring positions and made intelligent runs off the shoulder of the last defender, something that posed several issues. The first and foremost issue is that this style doesn’t match what Arteta wants out of a striker. He wants someone who can drop deep into midfield, create overloads in that area and facilitate play for others before turning and making his way into the box.

The second issue was that in order for Aubameyang to score with the frequency needed for a club aiming for Premier League top four, chances couldn’t afford to be at a premium. Particularly at the start of this campaign, opportunities in front of goal were few and far between. Therefore, those missed become increasingly noticeable.

Is Victor Osimhen Arsenal’s missing piece of the puzzle? Gunners have been extensively scouting Napoli’s Nigerian striker ahead of transfer window

The Gabon international’s move to Barcelona saw Lacazette come into the fold, and from his reinstatement into the starting squad until now, the weaknesses of the Frenchman’s own game have been quite obvious. He is more of the mold Arteta desires but is simply not quick enough, technical enough, fit enough, or dynamic enough. On the ball he isn’t threatening, off the ball he doesn’t ask questions of defenders, nor does he force anyone to follow him as he lacks the pace to make runs in behind after the initial phase of build up…and he can’t score to save his life.

It’s been over four months since he netted from open play.

The role of the striker has changed. The number nine used to be a pure poacher and now the position has changed, forcing players to become more well-rounded or else they’d be cast aside. As harsh as it may be, Lacazette falls in the latter category.

The question of an incoming striker then arises. One name that has been doing rounds plenty is Victor Osimhen. He currently plies his trade for Napoli, scoring 16 goals in 26 games across all competitions this season, including a further five assists. His profile impresses beyond his goal tally, illustrating a unique brutality and devastation to his play with physical majesty to match his pace and presence.

The first thing to stand out is his can’t-be-missed physical attributes. In the duels he is rarely beaten. The Nigerian stands at 6’1 but possesses the athleticism of a winger. His conditioning allows him to back into central defenders as effectively as he runs the channels for counter attacks. That pace over long and short distances allows him to stretch defences with intelligent runs, and it complements his centre-forward’s intuition.

The striker shows exceptional movement, anticipation and finishing in the box, with his instincts in the 18-yard area something an Arsenal fan can only dream of. Whether it be near post jinks or peeling off the back of defenders, there is a natural element to his movement that with further coaching can be molded into what Arteta wants.

Osimhen is not perfect, however. His build-up play leaves much to be desired – although Napoli’s style isn’t based around using him as a central axis – with work still needed to refine his touch and passing qualities. But because he’s such a demanding figure on the pitch and defenders naturally gravitate towards him, if there is fine-tuning in that department he can become even more lethal than he is. He makes space for others all the time.

Still only 23 years old, Osimhen could very well grow into the role Arteta demands. Even with his profile there is development potential. Arsenal will certainly have to splash the cash to secure the Nigerian, with figures said to be hovering around the £75m mark, but it would be money well spent on someone to lead the line in the Premier League.

He’d cost a premium, but Arsenal would be getting a premium striker.