Arsenal have been handed a surprising new attacking option with Victor Osimhen suddenly emerging as a potential target in the final stages of the summer transfer window. Reports in recent days have linked the Gunners with the Galatasaray striker, with Arsenal still looking for attacking reinforcements after missing out on Vinicius Jr, who committed his future to Real Madrid with a new contract until 2032.
Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid forward Julian Alvarez remains an intriguing alternative, although his reported desire for a move to Barcelona continues to complicate the situation.
That brings an interesting question into focus: would Osimhen actually be an upgrade on Viktor Gyökeres, and would signing him make sense for Arsenal?
Osimhen vs Gyökeres: The Numbers
Osimhen enjoyed another productive campaign in Turkey, scoring 15 goals and providing five assists in 22 Super Lig appearances for Galatasaray. He was also highly effective in Europe, registering seven goals and three assists in 10 Champions League games.
Gyökeres, meanwhile, finished his first Premier League season with Arsenal with 14 goals and one assist in 36 league appearances, while scoring five goals and providing one assist in 13 Champions League matches.
On the surface, Osimhen's goal return is particularly impressive given the number of league appearances. However, the difference in competitions, team structures and playing styles means the numbers alone do not tell the whole story.
Style of Play: What Osimhen Offers
Osimhen is the more traditional penalty-box striker of the two. His greatest strengths are his movement behind defensive lines, acceleration, physicality and ability to attack crosses.
The Nigerian is particularly dangerous when Arsenal can create situations where he can attack space between centre-backs. His explosive first few steps make him difficult to contain, while his height and athleticism make him a significant aerial threat.
This is arguably where Osimhen has the edge over Gyökeres. He is more naturally suited to attacking crosses and making aggressive runs into the six-yard box. His finishing instincts around goal are also arguably sharper, making him a devastating presence when Arsenal dominate possession and repeatedly get the ball into dangerous areas.
Osimhen's Champions League record is another indication of his ability to perform at the highest level. Seven goals in 10 appearances demonstrates that his finishing can translate beyond domestic football.
Style of Play: What Gyökeres Offers
Gyökeres, however, provides Arsenal with more variety outside the penalty area.
The Swedish striker is extremely powerful when carrying the ball, particularly when he receives possession deeper and has space to drive towards the opposition defence. His ability to combine strength with long strides makes him difficult to dispossess once he gets moving.
This is an area where Gyökeres is arguably superior to Osimhen. He can participate more heavily in Arsenal's build-up, drop into midfield areas and link with attacking midfielders before turning and driving forward.
His ability to press and disrupt defenders is also valuable. Rather than simply waiting for chances inside the box, Gyökeres can contribute to Arsenal's defensive work from the front and use his physicality to make centre-backs uncomfortable.
That flexibility can be particularly useful for Mikel Arteta, whose attacking structure demands forwards who can contribute to possession as well as finishing.
Who Is the Better Finisher?
If the question is purely about being a ruthless No.9, Osimhen probably has the advantage.
He is exceptionally aggressive with his movement inside the box and has developed into a striker capable of converting different types of chances. His aerial ability gives Arsenal another dimension that can be extremely useful against deep defensive blocks.
Gyökeres, meanwhile, offers more when the game becomes transitional. His ability to carry the ball over distance means he can sometimes manufacture opportunities himself rather than relying entirely on service.
That makes this less of a straightforward comparison between a better and worse striker. They are elite forwards with overlapping characteristics but slightly different strengths.
Would Arsenal Actually Need Osimhen?
This is where the proposed transfer becomes complicated.
Even if Osimhen looks like an upgrade on Gyökeres, signing him would only make sense if Arsenal were prepared to move the Swedish striker on. Osimhen is 27, while Gyökeres is 28, meaning Arsenal would potentially be spending another enormous transfer fee on a striker in virtually the same age bracket. Reports suggest Osimhen could command a fee above £75 million, while his wages would make the overall financial commitment even greater.
More importantly, there is a significant stylistic overlap.
Both are powerful, penalty-box-orientated forwards who thrive on attacking space and finishing chances. Osimhen may be the more explosive poacher and aerial threat, but Arsenal would essentially be paying a huge amount of money for another striker who shares many of Gyökeres' core characteristics.
That would make little sense if Arsenal were already happy with the Swede.
Gyökeres was also fantastic for Arsenal towards the end of the season, and there is every reason to believe he can build on that momentum. Rather than immediately replacing him after one Premier League campaign, Arteta could potentially get an even better version of the striker next season.
Final Verdict
Victor Osimhen is arguably the superior pure No.9, but that does not automatically make him the right signing for Arsenal.
The Gunners already have a £200,000-a-week Gyökeres, contracted until 2030, and adding another expensive striker of a similar age and broadly similar profile would be difficult to justify.
The wiser approach for Arteta and Arsenal would be to continue monitoring the Julian Alvarez situation at Atlético Madrid if his desired Barcelona move does not materialise. Alvarez would offer a different attacking profile, with greater versatility across the frontline, intelligent movement, pressing, combination play and the ability to drop deeper.
Alternatively, Arsenal should explore similar forwards who are not simply poachers: attackers capable of pressing intensely, linking play brilliantly, dropping deep when necessary and interchanging positions across the forward line.
Osimhen would undoubtedly add elite goalscoring ability. But unless Gyökeres is sold, Arsenal should probably resist the temptation to make an expensive upgrade that does not fundamentally change their attacking profile.
