Tolu Arokodare: 2 problems Ajax striker must solve despite red-hot start

Tolu Arokodare has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Ajax, but the Super Eagles striker has revealed two problems he must solve if he is to sustain his early-season form, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Nigerian forward rescued a point for Ajax on Saturday, scoring just two minutes after coming off the bench in the 2-2 draw with Excelsior. His goal was another reminder of the physical threat he offers in the Eredivisie.

Arokodare has now registered six goals and two assists in nine appearances across all competitions since joining Ajax on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. His start has already led Dutch football figures to back him as the club’s first-choice striker.

However, Saturday’s performance also provided a reminder that there is more to his adaptation than simply scoring goals.

Arokodare admitted after the Excelsior game that he is not yet fully fit, while his comments about being repeatedly held by defenders point to another challenge he will have to manage as his reputation grows.

Problems Tolu Arokodare must solve at Ajax

1. Arokodare must get back to full fitness

The biggest concern is one that the striker himself identified. Arokodare missed Ajax’s midweek match against Willem II after falling ill and could only start Saturday’s game on the bench.

When he eventually came on in the second half, he immediately changed the contest by scoring.

Despite his decisive contribution, the 25-year-old admitted that he was nowhere near his best physically.

“You could already see it when I dropped in. After five or six minutes, I was already bent over because I was tired,” Arokodare told ESPN, admitting that he was still feeling weak.

“I needed this match to realise that I’m not one hundred per cent fit. I still feel weak. I haven’t recovered as well as I thought.”

That admission is significant because Arokodare’s game relies heavily on his physical attributes. At 1.97m, his strength, height and ability to occupy defenders are central to what makes him such a difficult striker to handle.

Excelsior coach Ruben den Uil described him as a “cheat code” because of the physical difference he brings to Ajax’s attack.

For Arokodare, regaining full fitness is not about being able to complete 90 minutes. It could determine whether he can consistently impose those physical qualities from the opening whistle.

The international break allows him to recover before Ajax return to Eredivisie action.

2. He must find a way to deal with defenders’ physical treatment

Arokodare’s second problem is almost the opposite of the first: his physical dominance is creating problems for opponents, but he feels defenders are sometimes going beyond what should be allowed.

Against Excelsior, the Nigerian complained that his shirt was being pulled whenever he tried to attack crosses or challenge for the ball.

“It was probably not the easiest goal because almost every chance my shirt was pulled. I was continuously held, but I’m glad I scored,” he said.

As his confidence and reputation continue to grow, defenders are likely to become conscious of his ability to dominate aerial duels and use his frame inside the box. Arokodare will have to learn how to remain effective when opponents attempt to disrupt him physically.

The answer cannot simply be to wait for referees to intervene. His ability to stay composed, maintain his positioning and continue attacking the ball despite the attention could become an important part of his development at Ajax.

The red-hot start is only the beginning

There is little doubt that Arokodare has made a solid impression in Amsterdam, but his latest comments show that his strong start has not been completely straightforward.

The Nigerian still needs to recover fully from his illness and build back his physical condition, while also learning how to handle the increased attention from defenders.

If he can solve both problems, the early promise of his Ajax spell could become something much bigger than a fast start.