Osimhen in contention to start against Atalanta, Mazzarri hails Eagles striker, Arsenal urged to make summer move

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen could be fit to play some parts in Napoli's match against Atalanta.

Osimhen was injured during the October international break. His fitness is a major boost for the new Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri ahead of his first game back in charge of Napoli.

Also fit are  Piotr Zielinski and Alex Meret. The trio took part in full training with the first team squad on Friday.

Osimhen, the 2022-23 Serie A top scorer, has been sidelined for around six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury while away on international duty with Nigeria at the beginning of October.

Meret has been recovering from a calf issue that arose during the 1-1 draw with Union Berlin in the Champions League on November 8.

Zielinski returned early from international duty with Poland this month after coming down with a bout of tonsillitis.

According to an update released by Napoli on Friday, all three trained with the group in the final session before Saturday’s important clash against Atalanta.

La Dea find themselves in fifth place in Serie A and are currently one point and one place behind Napoli.

Meanwhile, Mazzarri has heaped plaudits on Osimhen.

Mazzarri replaced Rudi Garcia last week and will take charge of the Serie A champions for the first time against Atalanta on Saturday.

“There will be time to stay together, we’ll play every three days so I’ll have time to chat with everyone,” Mazzarri was quoted by Football Italia.

“Osimhen is a great guy. He’s been cheerful since the very first moment. He is a generous guy who thinks about winning and sacrifices himself. He is getting back in shape and I am happy.”

The 24-year-old has scored six goals in eight league appearances for the Partenopei this season.

Also, pundit David Ornstein has given his verdict on whether or not Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal could make a bid for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in the January transfer window.

“In my opinion, Arsenal should make a bid for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in the summer of 2024.

I do not think that Napoli are going to sell Osimhen in the middle of the season. After all, the 24-year-old is one of their best players.

Napoli are aiming to win the Serie A title for the second season in a row. They are also in the UEFA Champions League.

Osimhen is one of the best strikers on the planet. He is a goal machine. The 24-year-old has already scored six goals in seven Serie A starts this season.

So, why would Napoli sell Osimhen in the middle of the season? However, a summer transfer could happen in the summer of 2024.

There are rumours that Osimhen is not completely happy at Napoli. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring him.

I believe that a big bid from Arsenal could see them bring the Nigeria international striker to the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2024.”