'I have faith in Havertz, Jesus' - Arteta ends once and for all Arsenal's links with Osimhen this summer

Speaking after his side's 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in their opening match of the 2024-2025 Premier League, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ended speculation linking the club with a move for a marquee center forward before the close of the summer transfer window.

The Gunners had been linked with a plethora of strikers, including Victor Osimhen, Alexander Isak, Dominic Solanke, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Lautaro Martinez, Dusan Vlahovic, Joshua Zirkzee, Benjamin Sesko and Jonathan David.

Sky Sport Germany transfer market expert Florian Plettenberg confirmed earlier this week that there was a loose approach from Arsenal to sign the reigning African Footballer of the Year.

Less than two weeks before the close of the summer transfer window, the future of Osimhen is up in the air as his suitors are unwilling to trigger his hefty release clause of 130 million euros.

Last season, Arsenal scored 91 goals in the Premier League, bettered only by the champions Manchester City, and were the best defensive side with twenty nine goals conceded. 

Despite Arsenal not having a legitimate number 9 at the moment, Arteta has confirmed that the north London club will not be buying a center forward because he has faith in Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Arteta put any rumours of a striker arriving this summer to bed. 

In quotes related by Sky Sports, the Spanish coach said: "I have faith in [Kai Havertz], we have faith in [Gabriel Jesus]. [Leandro Trossard] has played in that position.

"So we have different qualities in there and the best thing we can do is trust the players that we have and try improve them.

"They are so good and so willing and that's what we focus on."

Osimhen has already agreed personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain who could offer him Champions League football but the French champions have to offload a player before considering a move for the former Lille goal poacher.

The 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup winner is ready to wait until the end of the transfer window for this deal to happen. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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