Victor Osimhen underlines Arsenal’s attacking shortcomings after Galatasaray win

Victor Osimhen scored twice and set up another goal as Galatasaray beat Erzurumspor 4-0 on Friday, highlighting the qualities Arsenal may be missing in their pursuit of greater attacking firepower.

The Super Eagles striker produced a decisive performance as the defending Super Lig champions responded to their disappointing opening-weekend draw against Corum. Galatasaray had been held 2-2 in their first league match but made no mistake against newly promoted Erzurumspor at the Kazım Karabekir Stadium.

Osimhen led the attack and played a central role in a result that gave Galatasaray their first victory of the campaign. The visitors needed only 12 minutes to take control, with Roland Sallai opening the scoring.

The Nigerian almost added a second shortly afterwards, forcing Matija Orbanic into a sharp save. His influence, however, extended beyond his goals, with his movement, pressing and willingness to bring team-mates into the game causing persistent problems for Erzurumspor.

Galatasaray’s second goal demonstrated that unselfishness. After Yunus Akgun played him through, Osimhen surged into the penalty area and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Instead of taking the opportunity himself, he attempted a difficult square pass back to Akgun, who kept his composure to finish.

Osimhen then scored just before half-time by capitalising on an error. He anticipated a weak back-pass from an Erzurumspor defender, intercepted the ball and calmly tapped into an unguarded net.

Galatasaray remained in control after the interval and completed the victory in the 80th minute. During a swift counterattack, Gabriel Sara delivered a well-placed cross into the area, and Osimhen’s sharp movement enabled him to meet it and score his second goal of the night.

The brace gives Osimhen four league goals and one assist at the start of the campaign, making him the league’s leading scorer.

His display is likely to increase scrutiny on Arsenal, who have been heavily linked with the striker in recent weeks. The Gunners have been seeking additional attacking threat, with suggestions that Mikel Arteta’s side could be more ruthless despite securing a victory over newly promoted Coventry City, in which Kai Havertz was among the scorers.

Arsenal’s wide players, including Bukayo Saka, already provide a regular supply of dangerous deliveries. A natural penalty-box finisher with Osimhen’s physical presence could turn that service into more goals and allow the Premier League contenders to convert comfortable victories into emphatic routs.

Osimhen offers pace, work rate, aggressive pressing, aerial strength and a direct presence in front of goal, while his ability to link play and create opportunities for others was also evident against Erzurumspor.

With the transfer window due to close shortly, it remains uncertain whether Arsenal will make a decisive move for the Nigerian forward. Any deal would face financial and logistical hurdles, but Osimhen’s latest performance has once again underlined why his profile is attracting such strong interest.