Victor Osimhen’s name may not have been on the teamsheet at the Emirates on Tuesday night, but his absence loomed large.
Arsenal, who turned down the chance to sign the Nigerian striker last summer due to his hefty price tag, might come to regret that decision, even with a 3-0 advantage heading into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
The Gunners were offered the opportunity to sign the prolific frontman before the season began but deemed Napoli’s asking price reportedly north of £100 million, excessive. Instead, Osimhen was loaned out to Turkish giants Galatasaray, where he’s been nothing short of sensational.
He leads the Super Lig scoring charts with 20 goals. In all competitions, he has 28 goals and 5 assists, a tally that suggests he’s operating at the peak of his powers.
Victor Osimhen could’ve been Arsenal’s X-factor to kill off Real Madrid
Arsenal’s reluctance to spend big on Osimhen has had tangible consequences.
Injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus left Mikel Arteta scrambling for solutions, ultimately deploying midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker. Merino has performed admirably, notching eight goals in his unfamiliar role, but there’s little doubt that Osimhen’s presence would have elevated Arsenal’s attack to an entirely different level.
With Bukayo Saka whipping in dangerous crosses and pullbacks, the lanky forward would have been the perfect focal point to convert the chances Arsenal squandered and perhaps even beat the in-form Thibaut Courtois himself.
Declan Rice struck twice from free-kicks in stunning fashion, while Mikel Merino added a third to give the Gunners a commanding 3-0 win.
But with a finisher like Osimhen on the pitch, it could easily have been five. That kind of margin might have erased any lingering belief in a Real Madrid comeback.
Despite Arsenal’s dominant first-leg performance, few would write off Real Madrid’s chances at the Bernabéu. The Spanish giants have built a legacy on comebacks and late drama in Europe’s premier competition. Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham had quiet outings in London but will be expected to spark a response in front of their home crowd.
Imagine Osimhen leading the Attack for Arsenal against Real Madrid, just imagine. https://t.co/t7y2xYtKoH
— TAYO THE PLUG🔌 | Real Estate x Tech (@olatayoadewuyi) April 8, 2025
For Arsenal, the concern is simple; against a team with Madrid’s pedigree, a three-goal cushion isn’t always safe. This is where a player like Osimhen could have made the difference, turning dominance into complete demolition.
As things stand, the 2023 CAF Men's Player of the Year is expected to leave Napoli permanently in the summer, with the Italian club reportedly seeking around £55.5 million. With no option to buy in his Galatasaray loan deal, the Super Eagles striker remains one of the hottest commodities in Europe.
Arsenal may get another chance to sign him at a reduced price. Whether they take it this time could define their ambitions at the very top of the European game.
