Arsenal legend Robert Pires has urged Mikel Arteta to make a decisive move for Victor Osimhen, believing the Super Eagles star could be the missing piece in the club’s Premier League title challenge, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Frenchman, a key member of Arsenal’s Invincibles squad, insists the Gunners need a clinical, top-level striker to finally reclaim the league title they last won in 2004.
Arsenal have finished as runners-up to Manchester City in the past two seasons and currently sit second in the table, trailing leaders Liverpool by six points.
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While they boast the league’s joint-best defence, their attack has come under scrutiny, with injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus further exposing their need for a prolific forward.
Arteta has made no secret of his desire to bolster his attacking options, with Arsenal linked to the likes of Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko.
However, Pires believes Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, is the ideal signing to transform Arsenal’s frontline.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Pires made it clear who he believes should be Arsenal’s top target.
“Victor Osimhen,” Pires stated. “He has a good profile to play for Arsenal and the players such as Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Havertz and Bukayo Saka.
“But I’m not the owner or manager – I’m just an Arsenal fan who will always support them. If we can bring in one player though, it’d have to be Osimhen.”
Reflecting on his own playing days, Pires highlighted the difference in attacking options between Arsenal’s current squad and the team he played in, featuring the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, and Nwankwo Kanu.
“Of course, I respect a lot of the decisions of Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, but in my time, I used to play with Henry, Bergkamp, and Kanu, so we had three real strikers, and it was easy sometimes to score goals. But maybe this is the new football, so we have to adapt to the philosophy.”
Osimhen was heavily linked with a Premier League move last summer, with Chelsea making a strong push to sign him.
However, negotiations with Napoli collapsed, and the Nigerian forward ultimately moved to Galatasaray on a season-long loan.
The 26-year-old has continued to impress in Turkey, scoring 12 goals in 15 Super Lig matches and 16 in 20 across all competitions.
His performances have reignited speculation over his future, with reports suggesting he included a break clause in his loan deal, allowing him to leave in January if a major European club comes calling.
Jose Mourinho has previously described Osimhen as “world-class,” and with Arsenal still competing on multiple fronts—including the Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup—Pires believes the Nigerian striker could be the difference-maker in their pursuit of silverware.
