Victor Osimhen’s imminent transfer to Arsenal appears to be on the verge of completion, as the player conveyed a message indicating his intention to join after the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). In the recent Afcon clash between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, Osimhen, a coveted target for Arsenal, once again demonstrated his prowess by finding the net, although the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Taking charge of the Super Eagles’ frontline in the Ivory Coast group opener, the 25-year-old played a crucial role in kickstarting Jose Peseiro’s team’s quest to become African champions. Despite Nigeria being the favorites to progress through Group A alongside the hosts, Ivory Coast, they faced a setback against the 88th-ranked Equatorial Guinea.
Osimhen exhibited his exceptional center-forward instincts by swiftly nullifying Iban Salvador’s opening goal in the 36th minute, connecting with Ademola Lookman’s cross. Despite their superiority, Nigeria failed to capitalize on opportunities and fell short of securing a victory.
In the second half, Osimhen missed several promising chances, with one occurring shortly after the break. According to FOTMOB, his shot accuracy was only 33% from six opportunities, indicating that only two of his attempts hit the target. With just fifteen minutes remaining, Osimhen had a golden opportunity to clinch the match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium but narrowly missed the mark with a right-footed shot, a recurring theme in recent months.
The Napoli striker, equipped with a £112 million release clause in his current contract, has been prolific, scoring 39 goals in all competitions over the last two seasons (2022–2023 and 2023–2024), including 31 in 39 appearances last season.
Arsenal, seeking a consistent goal scorer, views Osimhen as an ideal solution to their center-forward needs. While the focus on Osimhen’s potential arrival intensifies for the summer, there’s increased speculation that Ivan Toney might make a move this month. Arsenal will closely monitor Osimhen’s performances at AFCON, recognizing the challenges he may face against defensive low blocks, including those posed by Equatori toal Guinea.