Arsenal files: Gunners’ shock signing of Victor Ozhianvuna, 16, was three years in making and broke record set by Spurs

AFTER a mega-money, big-name summer spree, one of the shocks of the window has come in Arsenal’s pursuit of a teenage Republic of Ireland sensation.

The Gunners are set to sign 16-year-old Victor Ozhianvuna from Shamrock Rovers on a pre-contract agreement that will see him join in January 2027.

Arsenal are set to sign 16-year-old Victor Ozhianvuna from Shamrock RoversSportsfile

As an EU citizen, Ozhianvuna is not able to officially join Arsenal until he turns 18, but personal terms and a medical have already been sorted on what is believed to be a four-and-a-half year deal.

It will be a record transfer for the League of Ireland’s Premier Division at around £1.73m, eclipsing the £1.5m North London rivals Tottenham paid for Mason Melia from St. Patrick’s Athletic earlier this year.

There was an extra incentive for Shamrock Rovers to do the deal, potentially earning another £1.73m if Ozhianvuna is sold by Arsenal in the future, while there are extra bonuses within the agreement for club and international appearances.

Arguably an unknown in England, Ozhianvuna has been the talk of Ireland for some time.

The Tallaght-born wide player made his first-team debut for Rovers in February, and scored in the FAI Cup in July, with 15 appearances in all competitions to his name already.

A European debut has been chalked off, coming off the bench in the Europa Conference League against Molde in February.

His reputation and ability has also made it onto the international stage.

With Russian and Nigerian parents, he has represented Republic of Ireland’s U18s in friendlies against Norway, Croatia, and Turkey earlier this year, with an appearance for the U17s in March as well.

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This deal has been three years in the making for Arsenal, who had competition to win his signature, including Belgian outfit Club Brugge.

He caught the eye of Arsenal scouts in their Hale End academy tournament hosted at the Gunners’ Colney training centre in 2023, beating an U14 side that included Max Dowman.

Academy manager Per Mertesacker and technical director James Ellis led the negotiations, convincing Ozhianvuna after visiting the club’s London Colney training base.

Arsenal’s excellent relationship with Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, a former product of the Arsenal academy, as well as Shamrock Rovers’ sporting director Stephen McPhail, also played its part.

The move comes with Arsenal wanting to broaden their search for young talent to bolster their already-thriving academy set-up, one that has seen the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dowman make first-team appearances in recent years.

Ozhianvuna is a right-footer who usually plays on the left, but it is the kid’s flexibility to adapt in several positions that has convinced Arsenal to fork out a seven-figure sum.

Bradley explained in April: “It’s about finding the right moments to play him but ability? You’ll see in the next few years what he’s about. He can play anywhere.

“I’ve seen him play as a six, ten and even up front. He’s a bit of a throwback in how he plays fearlessly. You can see that versatility will help him going forward.”

Shamrock Rovers have had to protect Ozhianvuna however with selective outings. Bradley added last month: “As the pitches get better, then you can play Victor.

Ozhianvuna made his European debut when he came off the bench against Molde in the Conference League in FebruarySportsfile

“Because of the type he is, he’s a dribbler, he likes to get at people. If you play him on bogs or bobbly pitches, it’s not his type.”

League of Ireland executives hope that the sale of their biggest stars to English or European teams will boost the division’s appeal to more young players of the future, encouraging them to stay and play in Ireland for longer with the promise of a high-profile future switch.

There is a desire to get deals agreed earlier too following the example of Cork City’s talented 18-year-old prospect Cathal O’Sullivan, who is set to leave on a free after a season-ending ACL injury derailed any hopes of a big-money sale.

There is also frustration from Cork City and the League of Ireland over losing 16-year-old David Dunne to Monaco for a relatively small fee of £86.6k in July.

Arsenal appear to have got their man, while Ozhianvuna gets to ply his trade and develop further on the bobbly pitches of Ireland for another 17 months.

JESUS’ FUTURE

Gabriel Jesus faces an unsettling few months at Arsenal.

The Brazilian has been out since January, tearing his ACL at the Emirates on January 12 in the Gunners’ FA Cup third round defeat to Manchester United.

PAGabriel Jesus tore his ACL in January[/caption]

The club are hopeful he can return to full training towards the end of this year with his operation and rehabilitation going smoothly and as expected so far.

On August 24, he posted a video on his Instagram of him going through light running and ball drills at London Colney with the caption: “It’s been seven months of pain, uncertainty and anxiety.

“Today, I finally feel light – like a child playing football again”.

Jesus appears in good spirits, also taking part in the club’s media day donning the new kit before the start of the Premier League season.

Whether he gets to wear that jersey for Arsenal again in a competitive match is another question entirely.

Arsenal have a reputation for treating their long-term injured players well, supporting Takehiro Tomiyasu both physically and mentally during his hellish period on the touchline with numerous problems before he was released this summer.

And there has not been any suggestion from the club so far that Jesus has played his last game for the club, despite Mikel Arteta heavily bolstering his attacking options this summer.

But upon his return, Jesus will likely be Arteta’s third-choice striker behind Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz – who is also unavailable as he recovers from a minor knee procedure.

Instagram / @kaihavertz29Kai Havertz has also undergone knee surgery[/caption]

The squad is currently full, and Arteta has been ruthless this summer in getting rid of fringe players and deadwood, unloading the likes of Reiss Nelson, Fabio Vieira, Jakub Kiwior, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney also left on frees.

So, where does Jesus fit in? He was recently left out of Arsenal’s Champions League group phase squad and his contract expires in the summer of 2027 and he will turn 29 in April.

Given Arsenal’s new-found ruthlessness, as well as their need to sell after spending over £250m in the window, could they see January as a good time to make a return on a player they bought for £45m from Manchester City in 2022?

The likely scenario is that Jesus will be given some minutes in the latter stages of the season to encourage buyers to take him off their hands next summer.

But with Arteta’s squad already busting at the seams, that will surely only happen if they are still competing across four competitions, with the Carabao Cup and FA Cup perfect competitions to get Jesus back up to speed.

If not, then Jesus could spend the rest of this campaign as a mere onlooker, wondering where his future lies.

DOWMAN BREAKING RECORDS

Max Dowman is on course to break another record – this time in continental football.

Last month, the 15-year-old became the second youngest player in Prem history to make their debut – behind teammate Ethan Nwaneri – after coming on in the 64th minute of their 5-0 thrashing of Leeds at 15 years and 235 days.

Shutterstock EditorialMax Dowman is the second youngest player in Premier League history[/caption]

And after being named in Mikel Arteta’s 23-player List A squad for the Champions League group stage, more records are set to tumble.

Should he make his senior European debut before turning 16 on December 31, he would become the first 15-year-old to appear in the competition.

The current youngest player to feature in the Champions League is Youssoufa Moukoko, who played for Borussia Dortmund aged 16 years and 18 days in 2020.

Dowman’s moment could come as early as September 16 when Arsenal travel to Athletic Bilbao for their opener, while also facing the likes of Olympiacos, Atletico Madrid, Slavia Prague, Bayern Munich, Club Brugge, Inter Milan and Kairat Almaty.

LIFE’S A BEACH

ARSENAL’S eighth and final signing of the summer window Piero Hincapie became the player he is today on the soft, white sand of Ecuador.

The 23-year-old defender – on loan from Bayer Leverkusen with a £45m option next summer – grew up in the coastal city of Esmeraldas, playing football from the age of seven.

He may have earned a stunning move to the Emirates from his ability on grass, but honed his skills on local beaches.

Scouts spotted his ability as he won numerous beach tournaments before being picked up by clubs like Emelec Esmereldas, Barcelona Esmereldas and Escuela Refinería.

GettyNew arrival Piero Hincapie honed his craft by playing beach football[/caption]

WALCOTT RETURN

Theo Walcott is back at Arsenal – as an ambassador.

The former England international, at Arsenal for 12 years, was in Monaco a week ago for the Champions League draw as a representative of the club.

Walcott spoke to the media about Arsenal’s Champions League fixtures and then headed off to a Uefa party, although was sticking to soft drinks as he is teetotal.

SKELL AND BACK

Myles Lewis-Skelly claims Mo Salah is his most difficult opponent although also admits he was given the runaround by Joao Pedro – then at Watford – in a youth game.

But the most surprising nugget from a joint interview with Sky Sports was Ethan Nwaneri revealing his toughest opponent has been . . . . . Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot.

Who would have thought that?

GettyEthan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have named their toughest opponents after their breakthrough campaigns last season[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]