Arsenal transfer target Kaoru Mitoma astounded BBC pundit Glenn Murray at Wolves this Saturday afternoon after the Brighton & Hove Albion star scored a ‘fantastic’ goal.

The 26-year-old secured the Seagulls an early lead at Molineux with his fabulous solo strike. Mitoma made his mark in just the 15th minute. Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi had to wait until the second half for another goal as his south coast side ran riot on their trip to Wolves.

Arsenal know all too well what Mitoma can produce after scoring against the Gunners in the Premier League last season. He found the back of Aaron Ramsdale’s goal en route to scoring seven and assisting six goals in 33 games. Now, the winger has started his tally in 2023/24.

Mitoma weaved his way inside from the left-hand flank to break the deadlock. Wolves could not stop the Japan international from marauding a way through Molineux from mid-field. He then placed a perfect shot out of goalkeeper Jose Sa’s reach for his first strike of the season.

Mitoma made Molineux his playground as Brighton visited Wolves

Nelson Semedo sought to square Mitoma up beside the touchline just inside Wolves’ half as Brighton visited the West Midlands. But the Kawasaki, Kanagawa-born sensation shifted the ball onto his right foot before bursting away. Semedo’s tug would not put Mitoma off, either.

The right-back desperately sought to pull the winger back as Craig Dawson merely watched on. Joao Gomes would offer Semedo little support, either, as Mitoma drove towards Wolves’ box. Dawson drifting wide to cover Semedo gifted the 26-year-old all the space he needed.

Mitoma shrugged off one further challenge as he shaped to shoot from the edge of the six-yard box. But Wolves’ desperate defending would not deny the Brighton star his first goal of the 2023/24 Premier League season. He also laid on an assist against Luton Town last week.

Such a sensational solo strike at Wolves ensured Mitoma soon received the plaudits with ex-Brighton star Murray among those singing his praises after making Molineux his playground.

“What a fantastic finish from Mitoma,” Murray said on the BBC’s Final Score. “[He] picks up the ball just inside the Wolves half and glides past about four or five players, then coolly slots it into the net.

“If I could liken it to another goal it would be Hatem Ben Arfa’s for Newcastle against Bolton, such a mazey run and finish. What a special, special player Mitoma is!”

Mitoma excels amid interest from Arsenal in his potential transfer

Mitoma further excelled at Wolves amid interest from Arsenal in a transfer from Brighton for the forward. Reports by talkSPORT earlier this month noted the Gunners and Bayern Munich admire the winger. But the Seagulls are confident of holding onto his services this summer.

Brighton believe they can prevent Mitoma from becoming the latest mega-money departure from the Amex after Moises Caicedo joined Chelsea. Alexis Mac Alister also joined Liverpool this summer. Yet Mitoma is close to agreeing a new, long-term contract to stay at Brighton.

Arsenal have appreciated Mitoma for a while but Brighton have remained his focus, instead of pursuing a transfer away. Fabrizio Romano claimed back in February that the 17-cap star was on Mikel Arteta’s radar. He also noted that the Seagulls valued him at in excess of £35m.

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