Super Eagles: 3 aspects of Arokodare’s game that impressed former Spurs star

Super Eagles forward Tolu Arokodare has enjoyed an impressive start to his Ajax career and has now received praise from former Belgium international and Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld.

Arokodare completed a season-long loan move to the Dutch side during the summer transfer window and has made an encouraging start, rediscovering his form after a difficult spell at English club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Super Eagles striker struggled to make an impact at Wolves and eventually fell down the pecking order. The club’s relegation also complicated his future before he eventually secured a move to Ajax.

Since joining the Dutch giants, Arokodare has scored seven goals and provided two assists across all competitions. 

His performances have earned him praise from several players and coaches, with Alderweireld now joining the list after highlighting three aspects of the striker’s game that have impressed him.

Arokodare: 3 aspects of Super Eagles star that impressed Alderweireld

1. Arokodare’s size and technical ability

Alderweireld has explained how difficult it can be to face Arokodare as a defender, using his own experience of playing against the Super Eagles forward during their time in the Belgian league.

Arokodare represented Genk while Alderweireld played for Royal Antwerp, giving the former Tottenham defender an opportunity to see the striker’s qualities very close.

One aspect that stood out to Alderweireld was Arokodare’s ability to combine his imposing physical presence and technicality.

The Ajax forward is tall and powerful, but he also possesses the movement and ability to trouble defenders in different situations. 

“That was pretty tough”, the former Belgian defender said, via VoetbalPrimeur.nl, reflecting on his previous encounters with the Super Eagles star.

“It’s not a normal big striker. He is quite dynamic and technical for his height.”

2. Arokodare’s work rate and finishing ability

Another aspect of Arokodare’s game that impressed Alderweireld is his work rate and ability to finish chances.

The Super Eagles striker does more than occupy defenders with his physical presence. He can hold up the ball, bring his teammates into play and provide a reliable finishing option in the final third.

His ability to link up with teammates makes him useful in build-up play, while his finishing gives Ajax another attacking threat.

Alderweireld also singled out Arokodare’s ability in the air, pointing to a fantastic headed goal he scored in the 1-1 draw with NEC last weekend as an example of his quality in front of goal.

“He is a hard worker in different ways. He finishes well. And this weekend he scored a fantastic goal with his head. It’s a point of play.”

3. His physicality and ability to win aerial duels

Arokodare’s physical strength and ability to win aerial duels were also among the qualities highlighted by Alderweireld.

The former Tottenham defender explained that although Ajax do not typically rely on long balls as their main attacking approach, Arokodare gives them another option when they need to play more directly.

“He wins air duels. It is not Ajax’s style to play long balls, but you can also use him in the combination, where he keeps the defender off and plays the ball to the outside.

“The most important thing is that if you have good outside players, you have a tree-length striker and can give crosses. He is an all-round striker who does well. He started well”, Alderweireld concluded.

Arokodare, who is targeting a return to the Champions League with Ajax, will be hoping to return to the scoresheet after failing to score in Ajax’s 2-1 defeat to Hajduk Split in their Conference League opener on Thursday.

The Super Eagles forward will have another chance when Ajax face Groningen on Sunday, as they target a victory to close the gap to the top of the Eredivisie standings.