'Someone who can hold defenders' - Former Chelsea midfielder urges Arsenal to sign Osimhen

Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has urged his Arsenal to sign reigning African Men's Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen.

There is a need for Arsenal to close the gap on perennial Premier League champions Manchester City by injecting more quality players in their squad this summer.

The Gunners are said to be ready to fortify some positions in the squad, one of which is the striking department and have been linked with a host of strikers including Osimhen.

Despite the reported initial stance of not wanting to forge ahead in their pursuit of the Super Eagles forward, it appears the club are back in the race for the 25-year-old after getting turned down by primary target Benjamin Sesko.

They are reportedly ready to pay €75m for the services of the striker, which is lesser than his €130m valuation, thereby putting the possibility of striking a deal with Napoli in doubt.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Petit stated that signing Osimhen this summer would make a huge difference for Arsenal while stressing the need for his former club to sign a striker.

"I would love to see a player like Osimhen, for example, as a striker," Petit remarked.

"Someone who can hold defenders and think differently in terms of attacking the spaces behind the defenders and being a big threat on set pieces. A physical presence as well, but someone who can speak the same football.

"I've been watching him since he was at Lille before he left for Napoli and it would fit perfectly for Arsenal."

"I don't know if Arsenal are going to buy him, but the first thing that they need is a striker."

If the Gunners want to the Nigeria international, they should be ready to pay more than the €75m they are currently willing to offer as Napoli are unlikely to lower the valuations

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has proved often that he doesn't soften his stance on the valuation of his star players and Osimhen is unlikely to be no different.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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